Rayfield Wright
TX, US
Dallas Cowboy Hall of Famer and Businessman
Born August 23, 1945 in Griffin, Georgia, Rayfield Wright was the Dallas Cowboys seventh round draft pick in the 1967 draft. Given little chance of making the team's final roster, the Fort Valley (GA) State All-America demonstrated enough determination and raw athleticism that the coaching staff knew they somehow needed to work him into the lineup.During his first three seasons the 6-6, 255-pound Wright was used as a tight end, defensive end, and offensive tackle. In 1969 when right tackle Ralph Neely was injured, Coach Tom Landry decided to insert Wright into the lineup. His first opponent was future Hall of Fame defensive end Deacon Jones. "The Deacon is big and strong and mean," Wright was cautioned by his line coach. "Well," said the confident Wright, "so am I."Wright's performance against Jones was good enough that before training camp opened in 1970, Landry announced that Wright would be his starting right tackle. One season later he was named All-NFL. Known as "Big Cat," Wright earned first- or second-team All-NFL honors six consecutive times (1971-1976). He was also selected to play in the Pro Bowl following each of those seasons. Wright started in six NFC championship games, played in five Super Bowls, was named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1970s and to the NFL’s All-Super Bowl Team in 1990. He is a member of the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor, and will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in August of 2006.Since retiring from football Wright has enjoyed success in sales and marketing. Working with Inner City and At-Risk Students has been especially important to him. As former president of the NFL Alumni Chapter for the State of Arizona, Wright co-founded Kids 4 Tomorrow, a non-profit organization of professional athletes that work in the schools with children in grades K-12. Other community involvement includes Big Brothers, the Boys and Girls Club, Say No to Drugs, Boy Scouts of America, Love for Kids and Special Olympics.Currently residing in Willow Park, Texas, Rayfield is a dynamic, inspirational speaker, delivering powerful and mentoring messages to today’s high school students and college athletes. He also speaks to national and local businesses, churches, charities and non-profit organizations.
Born August 23, 1945 in Griffin, Georgia, Rayfield Wright was the Dallas Cowboys seventh round draft pick in the 1967 draft. Given little chance of making the team's final roster, the Fort Valley (GA) State All-America demonstrated enough determination and raw athleticism that the coaching staff knew they somehow needed to work him into the lineup.During his first three seasons the 6-6, 255-pound Wright was used as a tight end, defensive end, and offensive tackle. In 1969 when right tackle Ralph Neely was injured, Coach Tom Landry decided to insert Wright into the lineup. His first opponent was future Hall of Fame defensive end Deacon Jones. "The Deacon is big and strong and mean," Wright was cautioned by his line coach. "Well," said the confident Wright, "so am I."Wright's performance against Jones was good enough that before training camp opened in 1970, Landry announced that Wright would be his starting right tackle. One season later he was named All-NFL. Known as "Big Cat," Wright earned first- or second-team All-NFL honors six consecutive times (1971-1976). He was also selected to play in the Pro Bowl following each of those seasons. Wright started in six NFC championship games, played in five Super Bowls, was named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1970s and to the NFL’s All-Super Bowl Team in 1990. He is a member of the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor, and will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in August of 2006.Since retiring from football Wright has enjoyed success in sales and marketing. Working with Inner City and At-Risk Students has been especially important to him. As former president of the NFL Alumni Chapter for the State of Arizona, Wright co-founded Kids 4 Tomorrow, a non-profit organization of professional athletes that work in the schools with children in grades K-12. Other community involvement includes Big Brothers, the Boys and Girls Club, Say No to Drugs, Boy Scouts of America, Love for Kids and Special Olympics.Currently residing in Willow Park, Texas, Rayfield is a dynamic, inspirational speaker, delivering powerful and mentoring messages to today’s high school students and college athletes. He also speaks to national and local businesses, churches, charities and non-profit organizations.
2010