NFL

WR Chrebet calls it quits

By wire services
Published December 23, 2005

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. - Jets receiver Wayne Chrebet said Thursday that his career was over, one month after sustaining a season-ending concussion.

Chrebet spent 11 seasons with his hometown team after signing as an undrafted free agent out of Hofstra, but was plagued with head injuries the past few seasons. Though he was undersized at 5 feet 10, he became a clutch possession receiver, working his way up the team record charts.

He finishes with 580 receptions, second to Don Maynard's 627 on the team list. Chrebet made his first appearance at the Jets' facility since he was hurt Nov. 6 against San Diego.

"I'm not going to get back on the field. I think everybody's aware of that," Chrebet said. "But I'm just thankful and want to let the right people know I appreciate everything they've done for me."

On the play in which he got hurt, Chrebet was making a third-down catch for a first down, symbolic of the type of plays he made throughout his career. He stayed down on the field for several minutes, with a scary, glazed look in his eyes.

"It's just a weird thing you don't want to accept," Chrebet said. "I've had a lot of time at home with my kids and that's been great. ... The rest is dealing with not having this in my life anymore."

SAINTS: The state of Louisiana has formally requested that the team return home. An attorney for the agency that oversees state-owned sports facilities made the request in a letter sent to the team, commissioner Paul Tagliabue and players association director Gene Upshaw.

VIKINGS: Quarterback Daunte Culpepper's agent said he was caught "off guard" by FedEx's decision to stop airing a commercial featuring his client. Days after Culpepper, a former UCF standout, and three teammates were charged with misdemeanors stemming from a boat party, the quarterback's commercial was pulled from the rotation by FedEx.

[Last modified December 23, 2005, 01:14:13]