Wayne Chrebet To Be Honored !

Wayne Chrebet is being honored at halftime of this Sunday's Jets / Dolphins game. Here are some of his career highlights and records:

A. He ranks #2 all time in New York Jet franchise history for receptions only behind Hall of Famer Don Maynard.

B. Among all-time National Football League (NFL) players who were undrafted, he owns the third-most receptions in the history of the league, he trails only Rod Smith and Gary Clark.

C. The football jersey frequently worn by Michael in the film Elf (2003) is that of #80 Wayne Chrebet of the New York Jets.

D. In 1998, He teamed with WR Keyshawn Johnson to lead the league in receptions as the tandem finished with 158 receptions, 2,214 receiving yards, 14.0 yards per catch and 18 touchdowns.

D. His 7,365 yards from scrimmage place him fifth all-time in the NYJ record books during regular season play.

E. His 41 career touchdowns rank eighth all-time in NYJ history among scoring by non-kickers during regular season play.

F. Earned his nickname "Mr. Third Down" as a clutch third down receiver, with 379 first downs receiving during regular season play.

G. During his career he caught passes from 13 different players: Boomer Esiason, Bubby Brister, Glenn Foley, Frank Reich, Neil O'Donnell, Ray Lucas, Vinny Testaverde, Rick Mirer, Tom Tupa, Curtis Martin, Chad Pennington, Quincy Carter and Brooks Bollinger.

H. During his career he played for several different head coaches: Rich Kotite from 1995-96, Bill Parcells from 1997-99, Al Groh in 2000, and Herman Edwards from 2001-2005. Chrebet formally retired June 2nd, 2006 (under Head Coach Eric Mangini who had previously served as an assistant coach on Bill Parcells and Bill Belichick's NYJ coaching staff from 1997-1999).

I. Wayne Chrebet went on to set the NFL record for most receptions by a WR in his first two seasons.

J. Wayne Chrebet's greatest playoff game was in the AFC 1998 Championship in which the New York Jets played the Denver Broncos. The Jets led in the third quarter 10-0 and appeared to be headed to the Super Bowl, but the team faltered with four crucial fumbles, two interceptions and a missed field goal. Wayne Chrebet was the top candidate as the New York Jet's game MVP with 8 receptions (led both teams), 121 yards receiving (also led both teams) and no turnovers but the Jets capsized down the stretch secondary to turnovers and an anemic Jet rushing attack of only 14 yards. The New York Jets would have played the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl XXXIII had they held on, and were widely considered the favorite if they could have maintained their third quarter lead against Denver.

K. 1995: New York Newsday's "Jet of the Year," as voted on by the paper's readers.

L. 1996: Awarded the Dennis Byrd Award for Most Inspirational Player as voted by his New York Jet teammates.

M. 1996: Hofstra University Young Alumni Award in 1996. The award was bestowed to alumni who, within 10 years of graduation, achieved significant
accomplishments in professional life.

N. 1997: New York Jets "Unsung Hero Award"

O. 2000: DIRECTV "NFL Play of the Week" (Week 2 vs. New England for a game winning TD catch in the fourth quarter)

P. 2000: DIRECTV "NFL Play of the Week" (Week 4 vs. Tampa Bay for an 18 yard TD catch with :52 seconds left in the game on a HB option from RB Curtis Martin

Q. 2000: Thurman Munson Award for his outstanding efforts on an off the field and in serving in the community

R. 2001: New York Jets Alumni Association's "Jets Player of the Year"

S. 2002: Wayne Chrebet's college jersey was retired in a ceremony at Hofstra University, New York.

T. 2005: Awarded the Ed Block Courage Award.

U. Wayne Chrebet's 580 receptions ranks him 2nd and his 7,365 yards from scrimmage place him 5th all-time in the New York Jets record books

HIGHLIGHTS:

V. On December 3rd, 1995 versus the St. Louis Rams #80 Wayne Chrebet pulled in 8 receptions and broke several tackles on a memorable scamper toward the goal line

W. On October 19th, 1996 at Jacksonville Chrebet hauled in 12 receptions for 162 yards with five third-down conversions.

X. On September 24th, 2000 and caught an 18-yard TD pass from Curtis Martin with 52 seconds left to give the Jets a 21-17 victory after a former New York player derogatorily referred to Chrebet as a "flashlight". After this the New York media dubbed Chrebet "The Green Lantern", but his primary nickname was "Mr. Third Down" because 379 of his 580 career receptions were first downs

Y. Chrebet's story was named one of the greatest rags to riches stories in the history of professional sports as reported by Sports Illustrated (4) later that year.

Z. Some consider #80 Wayne Chrebet's best overall day as the October 10th, 2004 (2) contest with the Buffalo Bills in which Chrebet enjoyed a perfect game catching all 8 passes sent his way from quarterback Chad Pennington in a tight 16-14 victory.

AA. On November 6, 2005 against the San Diego Chargers, Wayne Chrebet's career ended prematurely when he sustained a serious concussion on a clean play. Despite being knocked unconscious and being down on the field for several minutes Wayne Chrebet still made that final third-down catch for a first down, symbolic of the type of plays he made throughout his career.