Posted on 06/02/2006 1:15:57 PM PDT by Ultra Sonic 007
HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. (June 2, 2006) -- Jets receiver Wayne Chrebet officially retired, ending an 11-year career in which he overcame long odds to become one of the best players in team history.
Though Chrebet said in January he quitting after repeated concussions, the team had a lavish retirement ceremony for him, complete with video highlights, framed jerseys and three-foot Chrebet bobblehead dolls. His wife, parents and sons flanked him on stage.
"I'm thankful to everybody who was with me for the ride," said the 32-year-old Chrebet, who paused several times to compose himself. "I'm just overwhelmed by the support I've received over the years and especially on days like this."
Chrebet signed with the Jets as an undrafted free agent out of Hofstra, the same place the Jets practice. Though he was undersized at 5-foot-10 and 188 pounds, he quickly became a clutch receiver.
"You can't imagine how it feels to be me right now," Chrebet said. "I always told people I believed I could do this and certainly my first day here, a 70-year-old security guard didn't let me into practice. I could either laugh it off and go on my journey or take it as a sign it wasn't going to happen. I didn't take that sign. I believed in myself."
(Excerpt) Read more at nfl.com ...
Sorry. Missed part of the ping.
He had a great run and was a guy who came out of a little school like Hofstar and had a great career.
Can't be taking those repeated head injuries. Once that becomes routine, time to get out. He understood that.
Doctor's orders.
Wayne was a class act, and he seemed to catch the ball whenever it was thrown to him. Too small, too slow, short arms, too weak, he reminded me of Largent...JFK
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.