From Jets to Coach: Craig Yeast's Football Journey

On April 16, back in 2001, the New York Jets kept hitting roadblocks at punt returner.

They drafted Santana Moss first round, but he blew out his knee and camp and missed

11 games.

Traded for Chad Morton next, but he sprained an ankle early and sat out the year.

Four games in, they signed Craig East, a speedy wide-out from Kentucky, cut by Cincinnati

after two seasons.

East clicked right away with special teams coach Mike Westhoff, who put him straight to

work returning kicks and punts.

At 5 foot 7 and 165 pounds, he ran a 4.340 averaging solid yards and scoring before.

His Jets debut was a win over Miami at the Meadowlands, where he felt the crowd's raw energy

for the first time.

Jets fans ride hard, win, or lose.

That stint lasted 11 weeks plus a playoff run against the Raiders, a big break for the

guy who'd sat home four weeks jobless.

He knew his role with special teams, not everyday receiver, and leaned on his speed

to shine.

Fans treated him right and he soaked up the pro vibe.

After the NFL, East balled four years in the Canadian football league with Hamilton,

racking up over 2,700 yards and 13, scores as a receiver.

Now he's head coach at Mercer County High School in his Kentucky hometown, going into

year 5, loving mentoring kids from tough backgrounds like his own.

His legacy lives on through sun rust, a safety chase in spots with the Bengals after stints

with the Rams.

Both kids got master's degrees too.

Yeast calls it all a blessing, proof speed and heart open doors, no matter the size.

The ball's in his blood, passing it forward.