New York Jets Memories: Keyshawn Johnson and Wayne Chrebet

Looking back 30 years ago and at the dynamic duo the New York Jets flaunted at wide receiver, Keyshawn Johnson and Wayne Chrebet.

On this really hot Sunday evening in New York, let’s look back at a time when the New York Jets were really hot. Recently on the Play Like a Jet podcast, hosted by my friend Scott Mason, we covered the 1998 season. We all remember that one well. Bill Parcells led the team to a 12-4 record.

Two of the biggest guys on that team were Keyshawn Johnson and Wayne Chrebet. Not only were they two of the most important players, they couldn’t have been anymore different if they tried. They came from different worlds and didn’t always coexist so well. However, for one year, they made it work.

Wayne Chrebet became a fan favorite, and with good reason. For anyone who forgot, he worked his way onto the team after being an undrafted free agent from Hofstra. He joined the team and was 11th on the depth chart out of 11 wide receivers. He fought his way to the top in 1995 and became a starter for his entire career. He was the working man, without the most natural talent but outworked everybody.

Chrebet was the guy on third down. We all know this. 200 receptions on third down, with 149 of them going for first downs tell the story. Unfortunately, concussions were the other part of the story, and they ended his career. It was clearly over when he took the hit against the San Diego Chargers. Being in attendance I can tell you it was a scary moment, but that is who he was. He sacrificed his body for the good of the team.

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For contrast, we had Keyshawn Johnson who was the total opposite of Chrebet. Johnson was the one with the glitz, glamour and expectations. A number one pick out of USC in 1996, he was supposed to turn things around quickly.

After that rookie year of 1996 when he fell short of 1,000 yards, he wrote the infamous book Just Give Me the Damn Ball. Johnson was targeted 125 times that rookie year, but still felt he needed to write it.

In the book, he called out the Jets for having Chrebet on the team. He called him a “team mascot” and wondered whether or not the team had a deal with Hofstra to employ their players. Needless to say the book caused some problems in the locker room.

When Bill Parcells came to town, everything came together, and the peak was in 1998. The Chrebet/Johnson duo was one of the best in the NFL. Both of them posted 1,000 yards that year, Keyshawn with 1,131 and Chrebet with 1,083. Between the two players they posted 18 touchdowns.

Right from the top they were good together, both posting 100 yards in week one, though they lost to the 49ers in overtime. Overall, Johnson posted four 100 yard performances and Chrebet posted five. They took the pressure off one another and allowed each other to shine.

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In the playoffs, Keyshawn led the way against the Jacksonville Jaguars with a touchdown both on the ground and through the air. Chrebet posted 121 yards in a losing cause against the Broncos in the AFC title game.

Johnson played one more year with the team before forcing a trade to Tampa Bay. Chrebet had a far longer career with the team and is the 3rd in receiving yards in franchise history. However, for one special year, they were special together. Jets fans will always remember 1998, although it didn’t end with a Super Bowl berth.

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