Jets Flight Numbers 80

by dvdvil on Jul 1, 2010 6:00 AM EDT

WR Wayne Chrebet has owned this number from 1995-2005. Little Wayne (not to be confused with this guy) wore #3 in college (Hofstra), where that number has been retired for him. He wore #3 with the Jets in 1995 during the pre-season, when the NFL relaxes the numbering rules because teams have bigger rosters before final cuts.

As a rookie, players and coaches simply referred to him as "that kid", but he would later become "Mr. Third Down" in New York. Opposing teams knew the ball would be coming to him in that situation, but they still couldn't stop it. Wayne made his living by taking the big hit in the middle and holding on to the ball. It was exactly in this situation in which he made his last catch in the NFL in November 2005, sustaining a concussion which would force him to retire.

Also known as "The Green Lantern", Wayne served as an inspiration to many who were fans of Gang Green, and to some who weren't. He grew up close to the stadium in Garfield, New Jersey and attended Hofstra University in Long Island. I can never truly hate former HC Rich Kotite because he allowed players to walk into the Jets training camp and try out. One of those was Wayne, who started at the very bottom of the depth chart. Security stopped him at the gate on his first day, dubious that he actually made the squad.

More on #80 past and present after the jump.

Here is a video profile on Chrebet from 1997:

Wayne never made it to any Pro Bowls, but he was always dependable, sacrificing his health for the team. He has worn the number #80 for 11 years, the most of any Jets player. The second-longest period somebody held this same number was 7 years. The team hasn't issued the number since Wayne stopped playing. The Jets have given the fans "Wayne Chrebet Day" but never did retire the jersey officially.

Here is where Wayne stands with the team and in the NFL. Unfortunately, I couldn't find stats focusing on third downs only, so if anyone has them, I would really appreciate it.

CAREER RECEPTIONS - 580. WR Jerry Rice has the most in the NFL (1,549), WR Keyshawn Johnson has the most for a former Jet (814), WR Don Maynard has the most in a Jets uniform (627). Wayne is 2nd in the team and 66th in the NFL.

CAREER RECEIVING YARDS - 7365. Rice again has the most in the NFL (22,895), Maynard has the most for a former Jet (11,834) and in a Jet uniform (11,732). Wayne is 3rd in the team and 97th in the NFL. WR Wesley Walker is 2nd in the team with 8,306.

CAREER RECEIVING TDs - 41. Rice has the most in the NFL (197), Maynard's 88 is is the most for a former Jet and in a Jet uniform. Wayne is 3rd in the team and tied for 158th in the NFL. Walker is 2nd in the team with 71.

In 2002, Wayne had 9 touchdown catches, tied for 5th in the league for that year.

CAREER YARDS FROM SCRIMMAGE - 7,363. Rice has the most (23,540). At 7th and with the most for a former Jet is RB Curtis Martin (17,430), who also has the most in a Jet uniform (12,741). Wayne is 200th in the NFL.

CAREER YARDS PER TOUCH - 12.2. Former Jets RB Michael Bates has the most at 23.0. Walker has the most in a Jet uniform at 18.8, tied for 6th in the NFL. Wayne is 198th in the league.

GAMES PLAYED WITH A RECEPTION - 152. Wayne is 5th in the team, behind Maynard (172), WR Jerome Barkum (158), TE Mickey Shuler (154) and Walker (154).

Here are the players who have previously worn the number #80 for the Jets:

1993-94 TE James Thornton

1990-92 TE Mark Boyer

1989 TE Greg Werner

1988 TE K.D. Dunn

1980-85 WR Lam Jones

1979 WR Roger Farmer

1978 WR Kevin Bell

1976 WR Howard Satterwhite

1967-73 DT John Eliott (not to be confused with this guy)

1966 DE Bob Werl

1964 WR Jim Evans

1962 WR Perry Richards (New York Titans)

1960-61 E Dave Ross (New York Titans)

So, what do you say, Gang Green Nation, is "Wayne Chrebet Day" and the non-issue of his jersey number enough for you? Or do you think the New York Jets should officially retire #80? Does he need to have the best numbers, or does his long tenure, courage, resilience and inspiring story earn him a permanent place in team history?

Poll

Should the Jets retire Wayne Chrebet's number?

Yes

188 votes

No

53 votes

Maybe So

23 votes

264 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 9 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

Wayne Chrebet was a real good player

However, he was more of an overachiever then a great player. I agree the team should honer him, but not by retiring his number.

by BIG OH!!!!! on Jul 1, 2010 7:59 AM EDT reply actions

To be objective about it, Wesley Walker has better numbers than him, as well as a longer tenure. Twenty years after his retirement, his #85 hasn’t been retired, officially or unofficially. So why should Wayne get #80 retired?

But right now the poll is 67% for it, so should the Jets do it for the fans? If other teams like Seattle can retire #12 for the fans (the 12th man), why can’t the Jets retire a fan favorite’s number?

Also, would that mean we have to revisit Walker and consider retiring #85 also?

and the home of the... JETS!!!
www.ganggreennation.com
I've tried to email Revis, but it just shuts down my computer.

by dvdvil on Jul 1, 2010 9:48 AM EDT up reply actions

retired numbers

The Jets have only ever retired two numbers. I believe Chrebet, Toon, Walker, McNeil and Curtis Martin all deserve this honor!

by chu1302 on Jul 1, 2010 11:18 AM EDT reply actions

Martin’s number was retired a couple years ago. So now we have four – Joe Namath (12), Don Maynard (13), Martin (28) and Joe Klecko (73).

Unofficially, two numbers are retired for Chrebet (80) and Dennis Byrd (90).

and the home of the... JETS!!!
www.ganggreennation.com
I've tried to email Revis, but it just shuts down my computer.

by dvdvil on Jul 1, 2010 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions

You’ll have to have a talk with some guy named Revis about retiring Freeman McNeil’s number…

by nationalist88 on Jul 1, 2010 7:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Hey, I loved watching Wayne Chrebet and he was a great Jet. But retire his number? He doesn’t even lead the team in all-time receiving yardage. Not sure if he’s a leader in any category actually, because like Big Oh said, he wasn’t a lights out player as much as reliable and consistent. Then again I don’t think Martin belongs on the wall with Klecko and Namath either. Like at all…

Let’s get some Superbowl wins with lifetime Jets who dominate their positions, and then start looking for numbers to retire.

by nationalist88 on Jul 1, 2010 7:20 PM EDT reply actions

I definitely disagree with you on Curtis Martin. He’s a potential Hall of Famer.

and the home of the... JETS!!!
www.ganggreennation.com
I've tried to email Revis, but it just shuts down my computer.

by dvdvil on Jul 1, 2010 8:40 PM EDT up reply actions

It’s a valid argument based on his stats, which can’t be argued with. But I don’t like the fact that 4,000 of his yards were gained in a Patriots uniform. And the other thing ~~maybe I’m alone on this one~~ is that he didn’t show up in big games. Whether it was getting shut down by the Raiders and Steelers in playoff games or that 14 yd “effort” against Denver in the 1998 AFC Championship (not to mention the fumble), he didn’t come up big when he needed to.

Great player, long career with lots of yards, hell, I have his jersey. But did his impact on the Jets warrant the retirement of his number? That distinction should be reserved for the elite players; the game changers, like Marino, LT, Rice, Butkus, Montana. It diminishes the honor when you include guys with great statistical careers who never really did anything to distinguish themselves but pile up numbers over time.

by nationalist88 on Jul 2, 2010 12:20 AM EDT up reply actions