Fans of other National Football League organizations cannot quite understand, understandably so. How in the world is the most popular fan-worn jersey in the MetLife Stadium crowd featuring that of a player who retired two decades ago?
How could it be of a player who went undrafted in 1995? How could it be of a player whose name was so tough for then-head coach Rich Kotite to recite that he could have actually missed his chance to hop onto the preseason field?
How could it not be an active player?
Regarding New York Jets history, one man reigns supreme—the dude whose accent was built upon a Western Pennsylvania and Alabama combination. Shortly after Joe Namath, the next name under the “most popular all-time Jets” column is Wayne Chrebet.
The man responsible for those No. 80 uniforms at MetLife Stadium celebrates a birthday on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025. With that in mind, Jets X-Factor remembers some of his most memorable New York Jets moments.
First, don’t you dare believe there isn’t a Chrebet playing football somewhere.
Wayne’s son, Cade Chrebet, plays football at Catholic University of America—preparing for his senior season. He’s naturally a wide receiver, and Wayne and his wife Amy make the trip to Maryland to see Cade do the familiar Chrebet thing on the field.
Remembering Wayne Chrebet’s greatest moments
Now that Jets fans can feel secure with Cade continuing the Chrebet tradition, let’s remember some of Wayne’s greatest moments on his birthday.
Monday Night Miracle magic
How could we start anywhere else? When magic happens, and when Arnold predicts the future, humanity must take notice.
On Oct. 23, 2000, the New York Jets polished off a comeback for the ages. The “Monday Night Miracle” resulted in what many consider the greatest Monday Night Football Game of all time, and Wayne Chrebet had a major hand in it.
Chrebet finished with 104 yards and 2 touchdowns on 6 receptions, but the highlight of the night was his second score, when Dennis Miller and Dan Fouts could not believe what they were watching.
“Chrebet is magic.”
The Pats killer
Al Groh’s 2000 Jets were the comeback kids, and most of it took place early in the season. Chrebet’s ridiculous pylon touchdown burned the New England Patriots on Sept. 11, 2000.
If the Pats had forgotten about No. 80, two seasons later would remind them. Chad Pennington’s perfect ball on the corner led to a Chrebet touchdown reception that helped keep the 2002 Jets’ remarkable season alive.
The 2002 Packers stamper
Only Jets fans who were in attendance at The Meadowlands on Dec. 29, 2002, could truly understand just how understated 1999 actually was. This was the real party.
The Pats’ win over the Miami Dolphins propelled Herm Edwards’s team into a control-your-own-destiny situation. Chrebet’s two touchdowns helped kickstart the party that led to the 2002 AFC East divisional crown.
The Green Lantern shines
This is the moment that all diehard Wayne Chrebet fans turn to. It’s the singular moment in which the New York Jets’ undrafted free agent out of Hofstra cemented his legacy.
Not only was the Jets’ comeback victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2002 remarkable and unlikely—as they needed a fumbled kick return to make it happen—but Chrebet’s humble end zone triumph contrasted perfectly with the Keyshawn Johnson noise.
The blazing Mile High start
Although the Jets’ AFC championship game loss to the Denver Broncos remains one of the greatest stings in franchise history, Wayne Chrebet did everything he could to make sure it didn’t happen.
Vinny Testaverde continuously found No. 80 early and often in this one, leading to a monster 8-reception, 121-yard performance on the greatest AFC stage.
The great escape
Don’t you dare turn away for a moment, because Wayne Chrebet can pull a Houdini anytime. Earlier in his career, Marv Albert was on the call when the all-time Jets fan favorite did just that against the Atlanta Falcons.
The local kid’s first score
Last but not least, Wayne Chrebet’s first touchdown came early in his career. On Sept. 10, 1995, lefty Boomer Esiason found him in the middle of the end zone for six against the then-AFC East rival Indianapolis Colts.
“Chrebet, the rookie, from Boomer. He grew up in Garfield, NJ, just 10 minutes from Giants Stadium. He went to Hofstra, where the Jets train, and now he has his first NFL touchdown.”