Rayfield Wright (born in August 23, 1945 in Griffin, Georgia) is a former American football player for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League.

The NFL years

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During his first three years with Dallas, the six-foot-six, 255-pound "Big Cat" was used as a tight end, defensive lineman, and offensive tackle. But in 1969, Wright got his first chance as a starter after Ralph Neely was sidelined by injury. Wright's performance was so strong that he won a starting role as right tackle before the first day of the 1970 training camp.

For thirteen 13-seasons, Wright played 166-games, started at right tackle in six NFC championship games, and played in five Super Bowls, winning two of them (VI and XII). He earned his first of four All-NFL 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 (ranked 6th all-time at retirement in 1979). His blocking (and leadership as the team's co-captain for 7 years) helped the Cowboys win 10 division titles and six conference crowns. In addition, Wright was named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1970s.

"Before undergoing knee surgery that forced him to miss most of the 1977 season, Wright was acknowledged as the NFL's premier offensive tackle."^*

After the NFL

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In 1992, Wright served as an assistant coach to the Arizona Rattlers. 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-nineties. He 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 Philanthopy World Magazine^*, along with fellow former-Cowboy teammate, Cliff Harris. The Athletes International Ministries awarded him Hall of Faith Award in 1997.

Wright was inducted into the State of Georgia's Hall of Fame in 1988. He was a member of the NFL All 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. In 2006, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

He is currently the CEO of Wright Sports and Nutrition LLC, and resides with his family in Texas.

External links

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• Pro Football Hall of Fame: Member profile
• Georgia Sports Hall of Fame

1943 births | living people | African American football players | American football offensive tackles | Fort Valley State Wildcats football players | Dallas Cowboys players | NFC Pro Bowl players | Pro Football Hall of Fame