#80 should be retired! I won't bother to compare Wayne with other players that played longer and have better number,Wayne had concussions because he had the balls to hang on the pass or go over the middle like these other shoe commercial recievers wouldn't. There will be no other #80 as far as i'm concerned.
There will never be another Wayne Chrebet, and there should never be another #80. I pity the fool who thinks he can wear the #80 and measure up.
If another Jet dons the #80 before the new stadium is up, I will be ashamed of the organization. The only reason why I say then is because then there is a new stadium, a new everything. Needless to say, it should be retired, but it won't be.
There's an interesting issue about numbers. According to the NFL number rules, WRs and TEs must have numbers 80-89, unless all are taken (in which case 11-19 and 40-49 for TEs can be used). If a number is retired it's taken, but otherwise it isn't. Right now, every number is taken, and only 1 by a rookie: 81 McCareins 82 Pociask 83 Dreessen 84 Ridgeway 85 Dearth 86 Baker 87 Coles 88 Jolley 89 Cotchery Obviously not all of these players will necessarily be on next year's team, but you see the problem - unless they get special dispensation from the league, there's a pretty reasonable chance that they'll need #80 for a WR or TE.
Have you got a source for that? Everything I've seen on the web on NFL Rule 5, Section 1, Article 4 states that 10-19 can only be used if 80-89 are not available.
From the 2005 Official Rules of the NFL- Rule 5, Section 1, Article 4 All players must wear numerals on their jerseys...and such numerals must be by playing position as follows: quarterbacks, punters, and placekickers, 1-19; running backs and defensive backs, 20-49; centers, 50-59 (60-79 if 50-59 unavailable); offensive guards and tackles, 60-79; wide receivers, 10-19 and 80-89; tight ends, 80-89; defensive linemen, 60-79 (90-99 if 60-79 unavailable); and linebackers, 50-59 (90-99 if 50-59 unavailable).
It had always seemed to me that the team policy was if you were inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, they retired your number. Weeb Ewbank is in the Hall, so they have his jacket up. When Namath was put in the Hall they retired his number right away, same with Don Maynard. In fact, Dave Jennings was the punter and was #13 when that happened and they made him change it to retire Maynard's that year. With Klecko, he's a guy that should make the Hall based on his career--he's the first player ever to make the Pro Bowl at three different positions (DE, DT, NG) and was part of the Sack Exchange who broke the record in 1981, he had 20 1/2 sacks. The fact that the team got tired of waiting for the Hall of Fame to put him in, they took the initiative to retire it anyway, I agree with. Obviously I think he should be in the Hall of Fame too.
^Let's not get crazy now. I think only HOFers (or guys close to it), Jerome Brown types, and Pat Tillman types should get their numbers retired.
C'mon, this is just silly now. We all love the guy, but really, he was never even the best WR on his own team.
If anyone must wear #80 this year I would like to see Coles wear it in tribute to the career of Chrebet... Laveranues Coles, New York Jets, 2000-2002, 2005- : “We came from different backgrounds but the day I walked in here, he took me under his wing and taught me how to be a professional. He knew that I was playing pretty much the same spot on the field, but he pushed me everyday. He is an amazing friend and I love him like a brother.” Wayne you will always be our Jerry Rice...thanks for all of the great memories
It has more to do with his work ethic,fearlessness on the field and his style of play than the numbers. He was the bright spot coming up during those cellar years. He is the biggest fan favorite that I can remember,and his Jersey was worn more than any other at the games in recent years.
Wayne Chrebet's jersey should certainly be retired. NOT just because of on field play. He was a icon in NY since day one and will always be remembered for guts and hard play. Guys like TO will never have their numbers retired because of their attitude. I would love nothing more than to see Wayne Chrebet's number retired. He was a guy I looked up to when I was a kid and just started to watch football. I loved how he played the game and so did many other Jets fans...even football fans in general love the guy. It would be wrong to see anyone else wearing #80 and thats when you know you have to retire their number.
