Keyshawn Johnson's work ethic is one of the best in the game, but it might be overshadowed by Wayne Chrebet's blue-collar approach.

Don't kid yourself, people. Don't think, even for one delicious moment of suspended belief, that you don't know what this Keyshawn Johnson-Wayne Chrebet rivalry is all about. The Great White Hope still has a permanent place in the sports firmament. Believe me. Keyshawn sees it, and that's why he's so upset.

Johnson called three press conferences this week—he needed three opportunities to make it clear that this week's game against his former team means absolutely nothing. At one of these get-togethers, he said comparing Chrebet to Keyshawn "is like comparing a flashlight to a star: flashlights only last so long, and star is in the sky forever."

He's right. Stars are forever. But so are hopes. The 5'10" gritty kid from Hofstra with Venus' flytrap hands needs big shoulders because he's lugging a lot of people's dreams. And why not? In six years, Chrebet has become the Jets' ninth all-time leading receiver with 4,148 yards. And he's especially fun to watch on third downs. But come on. That's not why you like him. Admit it, you like him because he reminds you of Rudy. You loved that movie, didn't you? You got a little misty when the players turned in their jerseys after finding out Rudy wasn't allowed to dress for his last game. ("I want Rudy to take my place, coach.")

Now don't get me wrong. I'm not saying Chrebet the football player is anything like Rudy the movie character. Rudy was a no-talent scrub who somehow enjoyed having his ass kicked on a regular basis by Notre Dame's finest. Chrebet may have been an undrafted rookie in '94, but scrubs don't have 1,000-yard receiving seasons like he did in '98.

But Keyshawn, who's probably calling another press conference as we speak, isn't impressed. He's annoyed because he's a hugely talented, competitive guy with flair, and Chrebet is a jeans-and-baseball cap guy who makes his own effort look minimal. Chrebet's Everyman image diminishes Johnson's own bona fide work ethic. Lost amid Johnson's self-promotion is the fact that he's the best blocking receiver in the game and, believe it or not, an unselfish player. But you'll never hear that from the media. And you'll never hear about Keyshawn's lunchpail qualities from Keyshawn, because Keyshawn wants to be a star. And a star is so distant, while a flashlight can be held right there in your hands.

Alan Grant writes football for ESPN The Magazine.