Rayfield Wright, the Pro Football Hall of Fame offensive tackle nicknamed “Big Cat” who went to five Super Bowls in his 13 NFL seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, died Thursday. He was 76.
Wright’s family confirmed his death Thursday to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, which said Wright had been hospitalized for several days following a severe seizure. The Cowboys also confirmed the death.
“He was absolutely the best,” Hall of Fame quarterback Roger Staubach said before Wright’s hall induction in 2006. “Rayfield was a big, strong guy that was able to transfer his size and strength from tight end to tackle. He also had such quick feet that he was able to deal with some of the faster defensive ends and even the linebacker blitzes. If he got beat, I don’t remember it.”Dallas won another Super Bowl in 1977, but Wright played only two games that season because of knee surgery.
In a 2014 interview with The New York Times, Wright said he incurred so many concussions during his NFL career that he couldn’t even count them. 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, who was picked by the Cowboys in the seventh round of the 1967 NFL draft.
“I realized that potential, playing for the Cowboys, was a God-given opportunity, and I couldn’t ignore it. I decided to attend the Cowboys’ training camp which was in July. The Royals camp didn’t start till August,” Wright said in his Hall of Fame speech. “I kind of figured that if I didn’t make the Cowboys team, I could go right to the NBA.”
“We go up to the line of scrimmage and I’m looking at Deacon Jones square in his eyes, his eyes seem to be red as fire, he’s kicking his back leg like a bull,” Wright later recalled. “I’m saying to myself, `My God, what have I got myself into?’”
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Hall of Fame five-time Super Bowl OT Rayfield Wright diesRayfield Wright, the Pro Football Hall of Fame offensive tackle nicknamed “Big Cat” who went to five Super Bowls in his 13 NFL seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, died Thursday.
Read more »
Reaction after Dallas Cowboys Hall of Fame OT Rayfield Wright diesReactions today after Pro Football Hall of Famer Rayfield Wright dies. His nickname was 'Big Cat' and he went to five Super Bowls in his 13 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys.
Read more »
Hall of Famer, Cowboys Legend Rayfield Wright Dies at 76Cowboys Legend Rayfield Wright played in 188 career games and won two Super Bowls. RIP 🙏🏾
Read more »
Pro Football Hall of Famer Rayfield Wright dead at 76The Georgia native was the first Cowboys offensive lineman inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Read more »
Pro Football Hall of Famer Rayfield Wright dead at 76Pro Football Hall of Fame member and former Dallas Cowboy Rayfield Wright has died. He was 76.
Read more »