Down but never out
Those eyes will haunt me forever.
Last fall, on November 6th, 2005 I sat on my couch and knew that an era was over. On a 3rd and 5 in the opponents' red zone, Wayne Chrebet made a catch (as always, for the distance plus one yard) to convert for a first down and move the chains. San Diego's Safety Jerry Wilson, who had just one tackle during the game, made the best of that chance but injured Chrebet in the process. As Chrebet hit the ground and his head bounced off the turf, Chrebet held the ball to be sure that it was a completion.
Did he even know he was holding it? Was it just muscle memory?
As Chrebet lay there and held the ball against himself, his glazed eyes shone in the light of the Meadowlands pale fall sun. Coming somewhat to his senses, Chrebet lazily flipped the ball out of his hand and lay there. For once, waiting for help to come to him, not the other way around.
To have watched that moment, as a Jets fan, knowing what this one player brought to the team for so many years and never getting to the mountaintop, winning a championship, absolutely broke my heart. In a Jets-esque irony, after putting the team on 1st and Goal from the 9 in the fourth quarter, the Jets were unable to score the touchdown needed to put them ahead of the Chargers in the closing minutes of the game.
Personally, what pains me the most is the difference that I see in his character and mine. How are we different? What does he have that I don't have? Why did he never give up? Why give his all like that? Why not quit when everyone tells you to?
I think that those are the questions that make us love Wayne Chrebet. The difference is though, for a guy like him, every game is the SuperBowl. Put him next to a weakminded, amazingly talented primadonna like Keyshawn Johnson and the distinction is even more clear. As a player and as a person Chrebet is an inspiration to fans for what he could accomplish, but also helps shed light onto what we might have been capable of, or could be still. I love sports on many levels, but most of all, for the lessons that can be learned in life through it. Look at Rudy, look at any underdog type player turned hero and it's easy to understand why. In all seriousness, Wayne Chrebet transcends football, and makes us realize that we can do so much more if we could just believe in, and apply ourselves, results be damned.
That's the reason I have put off writing this post for so long. What fan wants to say goodbye to a player that makes them introspective every time they make a great play, or even step on the field?
That's why I will never forget those eyes.
UPDATE: See the video tribute (on the main page), hear the press conference, and read the release on the Jets' official site
8 Responses to Down but never out
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R_in_CT says:
Very well said, and a fitting tribute. Anyone who says they didn't love (or at least respect) Chrebet and the passionate way he played the game knows nothing about football.
And although I will never forget that sad afternoon last season, the image I will always think of when I think of Wayne Chrebet is this one of him hauling in the winning TD from Curtis against Tampa.
Long live the Green Lantern! -
I actually voted for WC as the best Jets' WR of all time. I know he doesn't have the stats to back up that title, but who played with more heart and conviction? Who was more clutch? Who made more key 3rd down receptions? Who played a better game of poker with a group of dogs? (anyone remember the ESPN Sunday Night Football promo)?
All of the above, and he wasn't even drafted!
I've worn the Chrebet jersey for 8 years (now I have Vilma). We haven't had a reliable #2 WR since he started having concussions. His presence and ability will be truly missed.
Thanks for the post Bassett. -
Awesome press conference. There was never anything to not like about Chrebet. An all around quality person, and quality player.
What a throwback, too. My favorite parts were:
- talking about how he set out to be a Jet for life from the beginning, feels like he was destined to be a Jet since before be became one, and will always be one.
- Talking about seeing fathers and sons wearing his jersey at the games. Really put into perspective how much his career meant to him. -
I hope that the Jets honor him with a jersey retirement in the next few seasons. He has numbers that put him near the top of the WR categories in team history and he is incredibly well respected by the Jets fans. He deserves to have #80 hung up next to the stars of the past.
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Wayne Chrebet is my third favorite Jets player of all time (behind Curtis Martin and Al Toon) because he worked hard, played the game right and never took advantage of his celebrity. Every time someone questioned his ability, he answered them on the field without sparring with them verbally. He IS what the New York Jets represent to the fans. And as it was mentioned in the press conference, Rich Kotite had a lot to do with it. Chrebet very well could be the best thing about the Kotite years–and he never cost us a draft pick. It's a shame that the concussions got the best of him (that makes 2 of my favorite WRs to succumb to them–Toon had this problem too) because he could have obliterated the Jets Receiving record books if he had more time, after all he's only 33.
That being said, I agree with Peter that his number should be retired, not just because of his standing in the record books, but because of his place in the history of the franchise and as arguably the best 3rd down/slot receiver the Jets have ever had.
There are only 2 modern players (since I have followed the Jets–1985-present) who I think should have their numbers retired, Chrebet and Curtis Martin (when he retires noone should ever even be allowed to wear #28 since he will obviously be the next Jets player enshrined in the HOF–but that's for a different thread). Chrebet's number should be hanging along with Namath, Maynard, Klecko and Ewbank so we can point to that jersey to our kids and say, “You see that jersey? It belongs to a player that represents what a pro football player should be.” -
Well said, everyone. If Woody Johnson is still the owner in the next 10 years, it should all be guaranteed #80 will be retired by the New York Jets. What a wonderful story of inspiration.
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Chrebet has started on his new career already. He received his trainers license and provisional drivers license in harness racing last November. He has said for a while he'd like to be a trainer/driver/owner of harness horses when his football career ends. He's raced a small NJ based stable for years as an owner.
http://www.sportsnetwork.com/default.asp?c=sportsnetwork&page=horse-h/news/BIN3987875.htm
Two months ago he bought a share of an ubeaten filly who won a stakes at the Meadowlands so he is on his way.
I owned harness horses years ago and it is a great thrill and a great sport. I gave it up when I got married and life ended.
Throw a few bucks (or quid) on #80 when he shows up in races at Freehold or the Meadowlands.
Best of luck in your new career Wayne. Never got a Super Bowl, but the Hambletonian trophy is waiting!
Very well said, Bassett.
You put the nail on the head of Mr Intangible… hopefully, he didn't have another concussion ;)
But seriously, I always have to admire a person, who's able to get the most out of themselves… not an easy task.
This one's for WC… a true Pro… a throwback to the type of player that introduced me to football in the primordial days of yore ;)