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The first FNTSY Cup will be held over the weekend in Monmouth Park as celebrities and fantasy sports experts will make selections.
FNTSY Sports Network, the first and only television network to focus solely on fantasy sports, is sponsoring the event.
Those attending include NFL Hall of Famer Chris Doleman, adult-film star and fantasy sports talk show host Lisa Ann, and Scott Engel, a member of the Fantasy Sports Writer’s Association Hall of Fame and Managing Director of RotoExperts.
The name that jumps out to many in the area is Jets legend Wayne Chrebet. Chrebet, a wide receiver from 1995-2005, has become a fantasy sports junkie. The Hofstra product was in Las Vegas last weekend participating in FanDuel’s World Fantasy Baseball Championship.
“I picked it up last season. I played in league games. Then I got into basketball a couple nights a week. Baseball is almost every night. I’m pretty much an everyday player. I’m hooked on it.”
Just because Chrebet has the second most receptions in team history and was inducted into the Jets Ring of Honor doesn’t mean that football is necessarily the easiest fantasy sport for him.
“We’ll see how the season is. Last season I didn’t know much about it. Now I have more access to information.”
The competition better watch out for Chrebet who now has the RotoExperts premium package.
“It’s more advantageous to making better lineups.”
Number 80 noted the large prize winnings which reach seven figures. Chrebet earned $25,000 for his 29th place finish last week in Las Vegas.
The 5’10’’ Chrebet wasn’t drafted by an NFL team so perhaps he sees himself in some of the picks.
“I’m partial to taking a guy who isn’t the best fantasy player but is a guy I could root for.”
Chrebet excelled at Hofstra, even tying a Division I-AA record with five touchdown receptions in a game, previously done by Jerry Rice.
The underdog receiver became a fan favorite and was known as “Mr. Third Down” because more than half of his receptions were third to first down conversions.
The wide receiver was part of the 1998 squad that won the division title and made the AFC Championship Game. Coached by Bill Parcells, Chrebet and Keyshawn Johnson were reliable targets for Vinny Testaverde when Curtis Martin wasn’t carrying the ball.
One of Chrebet’s most memorable moments came in 2000 when he caught a touchdown pass from Martin in the final minute against Johnson’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He also caught a touchdown in the Monday Night Miracle against Miami.
His career ended in 2005, the result of concussions. His final concussion came in a game against San Diego.
The team held a “Wayne Chrebet Day” in 2007 and the wide receiver was inducted into the Jets Ring of Honor in 2014. Although number 80 hasn’t been retired, no Jet has worn it since Chrebet.
Even a decade after retiring, the scrappy receiver remains a fan favorite.
“I’m grateful for that. It lets me know I did it right when I played. I’ve always been appreciative of that. Whenever I’m at the stadium I sign as many autographs as I can.”