Rayfield Wright

Rayfield Wright, the Dallas Cowboys' seventh-round draft pick in the 1967 AFL-NFL Draft, was given little chance of making the team's final roster. But the Fort Valley (Ga.) State All-American 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-foot-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 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's performance during the 1975 season was particularly impressive. Coming off knee surgery, many questioned whether "Big Cat" would play. Not only did he play, but he again notched All-NFL honors into his career belt. In postseason play, he faced three legendary defensive ends head on: Hall of Famer Jack Youngblood of the Los Angeles Rams, Hall of Famer Carl Eller of the Minnesota Vikings and L.C. Greenwood of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Each time, he rose to the occasion with exceptional play.

"He was truly outstanding," Youngblood summarized of Wright's play in the playoff game. As for his performance against Eller, longtime Cowboys offensive line coach Jim Myers proclaimed that Rayfield "played as well or even better in that game."

"An all-day fight with Rayfield Wright definitely is not my idea of a pleasant Sunday afternoon," Eller once offered. "I think he is pretty much of a composite of an All-Pro tackle. He has size, strength and quickness. The big thing in Rayfield's favor is that he has a lot of range. He moves faster than most tackles. He's just difficult to play against."

Myers summarized Wright's overall career this way: "We tried to make a tight end out of Rayfield. Then we tried him on the defensive line. And then he made a great coach out of me."

'Road Less Traveled' Led to Canton for Rayfield Wright: 1945-2022

Pro Football Hall of Famer Dick Butkus passed away April 7, 2022, at the age of 76. 

“Over the past few weeks, it has become abundantly clear the love that so many Hall of Famers and others around the NFL felt toward Rayfield, his wife, Di, and the extended Wright family,” Hall of Fame President Jim Porter said. “His gentle nature away from the game belied his commanding presence on the field. All fans, especially those of the Cowboys, will remember fondly his dominance on the offensive line in the 1970s and how he took protecting Dallas quarterbacks as his personal mission."

Read the full tribute article and watch a video honoring Wright here.