Rayfield Wright

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Nicknamed 'Big Cat' for his nimble feet, Wright played on five NFC Championship teams that advanced to the Super Bowl (1970, 1971, 1975, 1977, and 1978 seasons), winning twice. He also participated in the Ice Bowl against the Green Bay Packers for the NFL championship in his rookie season in 1967. Wright was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the seventh round of the 1967 NFL/AFL draft, 182nd overall, as a tight end. During his first three years with Dallas, he was a tight end, defensive lineman, and offensive tackle. In his third season in 1969, Wright got his first chance as a starter after Ralph Neely was sidelined by injury. His opponent in his first start was Los Angeles Rams future Hall of Fame defensive end Deacon Jones. Wright's performance was so strong that he won a starting role as right tackle before the first day of training camp in 1970. For thirteen seasons, Wright played more than 200 games, started at right tackle in six NFC Championship games, and played in five Super Bowls, winning two of them: (VI, XII). He earned his first of four All-Pro honors in 1971 and was voted that same year to the first of six straight Pro Bowls. Wright was named first- or second-team All-Pro each season from 1971 through 1976, earned three All-NFC honors, and the Cowboys led the league for total offense five times. His blocking and leadership as the team's co-captain for seven years helped the Cowboys win 10 division titles and six conference crowns. Released by the Cowboys in March 1980, Wright signed in April with division rival Philadelphia, but retired early in training camp in July 1980. He anchored the line for an offense that finished in the top ten in scoring all ten seasons of the 1970s, while helping pave the way for the first five 1,000-yard rushers in Cowboys' history. Wright played at a time when the right tackle was the most important spot on the offensive line, and was usually paired against the opponent's best pass rusher. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006, with introduction by college coach Leon J. 'Stan' Lomax.

In Their Own Story

The turning point of Rayfield Wright's career arrived in 1969 against the Los Angeles Rams. Sidelined starter Ralph Neely forced Wright into action at right tackle to face Deacon Jones, a defensive end in his prime. Wright's performance was so dominant that he won the starting job permanently before the first day of training camp the following year. This moment launched a 13-season run where he became the most important spot on the offensive line, usually paired against the opponent's best pass rusher. Former running back Calvin Hill described Wright's versatility after his Hall of Fame election: 'He could pull. He could run in the open field. He could finesse-block and power-block in the run game. And there was no one better in pass-blocking.' Quarterback Roger Staubach echoed this, stating, 'If he got beat, I don't remember it.' Wright's leadership as co-captain for seven years helped the Cowboys secure 10 division titles and six conference crowns. He anchored an offense that finished in the top ten in scoring for every season of the 1970s, paving the way for the first five 1,000-yard rushers in team history.

Reader's Guide

Wright was born and raised in Griffin, Georgia, and raised by his mother Opel Wright. He attended Fairmont High School, which was merged with Griffin High School. He was a letterman in basketball, but he was unable to make the high school football team. Wright went to nearby Fort Valley State College to play college basketball, where he was a standout player. The following summer, head coach Stan Lomax made him quit his summer job at a mill to get ready to join the Wildcats' football team. Lomax tried Wright at free safety, then used him as a punter, defensive end and tight end. The coach also became a father figure to Wright. Wright was a Boy Scout who, at an early age, memorized Robert Frost's poem The Road Not Taken. In his later years, he credited the poem with helping him navigate the choices he faced in life. Wright was inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in 1988. He was a member of the NFL All-Time Super Bowl Team in 1990 and received the NFL Legends Award that same year. He was inducted into the Texas Black Sports Hall of Fame in 2002. In 2004, Rayfield Wright was inducted in the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor and the Texas Sports Hall of Fame. In 2006, he was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He was officially inducted, with introduction by college coach Leon J. 'Stan' Lomax, during the Enshrinement Ceremony on August 6, 2006 where his bust, sculpted by Scott Myers, was unveiled. He was also inducted into the State of Georgia Hall of Fame, the Fort Valley Georgia Hall of Fame and the Griffin Georgia Hall of Fame. In 1992, Wright served as an assistant coach to the Arizona Rattlers of the Arena Football League. Wright's post-football involvement with at-risk, inner city youth resulted in his appointment to the Juvenile Supreme Court in Arizona. He also served as president of the NFL Alumni Chapter, 'Caring for Kids' program in the mid-90s. His philanthropic endeavors, including the non-profit 'Kids 4 Tomorrow' organization he co-founded with some other NFL players, were featured in Volume 9 of the Philanthropy World Magazine, along with former Cowboy teammate, Cliff Harris. Wright founded the Rayfield Wright Foundation, which helps children obtain grants to attend college. He authored and published his autobiography Wright Up Front. In his later years, Wright battled early-onset dementia, the result of numerous head injuries he says h

Did You Know?

• Wright was unable to make his high school football team and only started playing football in college after his basketball coach made him quit his summer job.
• He was a Boy Scout who memorized Robert Frost's poem 'The Road Not Taken' and later credited it with helping him navigate life choices.
• Wright was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006 with an introduction by his college coach Stan Lomax.