Wayne Chrebet

Wayne Chrebet is a former wide receiver who played 11 seasons for the New York Jets of the National Football League from 1995 to 2005.

Chrebet played for Hofstra University, the site of what used to be the Jets’ year-round training facility. At Hofstra, Chrebet was a four-year letter-winner who twice led the Flying Dutchmen (now known as The Pride), in receiving. In addition he set the single season and career touchdown marks with 16 (1994), and 31, respectively. Also in 1994, Chrebet became Hofstra’s first 1,000-yard receiver. Along the way he set a Hofstra school record with 245 receiving yards in a game against Delaware, and tying Jerry Rice for the NCAA I-AA mark with five touchdowns. For his accomplishments at Hofstra University, Wayne Chrebet was part of the inaugural class to be inducted into the Hofstra University Athletic Hall of Fame and his jersey was retired.

Chrebet earned a walk-on opportunity with the New York Jets. The New York media dubbed Chrebet “The Green Lantern.” His primary nickname, however, was “Mr. Third Down” because 379 of his 580 career receptions were third to first down conversions. Wayne Chrebet become a sensation secondary to his achievement and was featured on cereal boxes in addition to having his number 80 jersey was worn by the lead character Michael in the 2003 Will Ferrell motion picture "Elf."

Chrebet’s career history was named one of the greatest rags-to-riches stories in the history of professional sports by Sports Illustrated. Chrebet’s career ended prematurely when he sustained a serious concussion on a clean play. During his career, he caught passes from 13 different players, played for several different head coaches, and worked for two different owners. Chrebet was formally honored by the New York Jets on “Wayne Chrebet Day” during halftime of the September 23rd, 2007 game against the Miami Dolphins.

Chrebet’s number 80 has not been issued by the team since he retired, and it is generally understood that no Jet will wear that number in the foreseeable future.

After the NFL: Chrebet now resides in Colts Neck Township, New Jersey. Chrebet has operated two restaurants on Long Island near his alma mater, Hofstra University. Initially a steakhouse called Chrebet’s, it was later closed and reopened as a sports-themed bar/restaurant called “Social Sports Lounge and Kitchen.”

The NFL Network recognized Wayne Chrebet’s career in 2009 by including Chrebet in their Top 10 episode “Best Undrafted Players” at the number ten position.

In Fall 2012, Chrebet joined Barclays Capital as a financial adviser and Assistant Vice President working out of the Park Ave, New York City office. Chrebet is routinely invited to attend Jets games as a guest of honor by owner Woody Johnson and also routinely serves as an ambassador on behalf of the New York Jets and National Football League via community service and public relations events.