By By Chris Vaccaro
Two weeks ago, Wayne Chrebet walked into a small office at the New York Jets practice facilities on the north side of campus and spoke to me about his time in a Pride uniform.
It’s a good thing the Jets were nice enough to grant me an interview with him, because unfortunately New York’s renowned third down receiver appears to be done for good.
After suffering the ninth concussion of his collegiate and pro career two weeks ago against the San Diego Chargers, Chrebet may have played his last game in the NFL. His career has been plagued by head injuries, something that obviously can’t be taken lightly.
I asked him about the possibility of the Jets not playing in Hempstead after this season and he was quick to say he may not be around by that time, but no one predicted such an abrupt end to his career.
“It’s my 11th year, I don’t look that far ahead,” he said.
Well, the Jets and Chrebet aren’t looking towards anything but a healthy recovery, and the Tri-State area should applaud the efforts he has displayed over his career.
His feistiness comes out every so often, but when it’s third-and-10 with a much-needed catch on the line, Chrebet is usually there.
In front of a roaring home crowd-thanks to a spark by former third-string QB Brooks Bollinger-Chrebet caught a 6-yard pass on a third-and-5 play with two minutes remaining. Chargers safety Jerry Wilson nailed Chrebet after the catch and threw him viciously to the turf at Giants Stadium.
Jets fans held their breaths as television replays confirmed he lost consciousness for a few seconds. It was reported he had trouble taking his pads and jersey off in the locker room, and left before speaking with reporters after the Jets’ 31-26 loss.
The Jets lost more than a game last Sunday. They lost one of the most professional and diligent players this league has ever seen. If it is confirmed that Chrebet’s career is indeed over, then all we’ll have is the highlight reels to remember his speedy-acrobatic catches.
He was placed on injured reserve the following Monday, answering questions about possibly playing any downs for the remainder of this season.
His teammates were encouraging him to retire to cancel the risk of any further damage.
“I’d like to see him retire healthy,” QB Vinny Testaverde told Newsday. “Of course as a friend, someone who cares about him a great deal, I’m sure his family feels the same way. We’re all looking at it and saying, ‘You’ve had a great career. Let’s not take any more hits to your head.'”
There is no need to play anymore and risk long-term damage to his health.
During the 2003 season, he missed the final eight games because of post-traumatic migraines and considered retiring then. After a few more hits spanning across the next two seasons, he was finally knocked out for good against San Diego.
He is second all-time on the Jets’ receptions list with 580 catches and left this season with 15 grabs for 153 yards.
For the Pride football program, Chrebet holds the record for most touchdowns in a game (five at Delaware in 1994), most touchdowns in a season (16 in ’94), most career touchdowns in a season (31 from ’91-’94) and most yards in a single game (245, also against Delaware in ’94). His 1,200 yards in 1994 were the second most for a Pride receiver in a single season, and his 2,297 career receiving yards and 150 career receptions are the fifth most in school history.
Chrebet will always have a place in the heart of every Jets fan, and while his career may not be hall of fame worthy, this former Pride athlete will go down as one of the greatest Jets and University players ever.
Even though his career is probably over, he isn’t upset that he went out this way and acknowledges it’s part of the game.
“It either is or it isn’t. I’m aware of it, but it’s not going to affect the way I play. I only know how to play one way, and if I can’t play that way, then I’ll be done,” Chrebet told Newsday. “I’m not a passive football player. There’s no such thing as a passive football player.”
Chris Vaccaro is sports editor for The Chronicle. He is a contributing writer for New York Sportscene, and a staff writer for Long Island’s Ultimate Athlete magazines. You can reach him at [email protected]