Dallas Cowboys Hall of Fame offensive lineman Rayfield Wright passed away Thursday at 76 years old.
Wright’s family told the Pro Football Hall of Fame that the former Cowboys player had been hospitalized for several days following a severe seizure.
“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.
Wright spent thirteen seasons with the Cowboys and became one of the greatest linemen in franchise history. Along with Larry Allen, he is one of just two offensive linemen in the team’s Ring of Honor and the Hall of Fame.
Wright excelled at football and basketball during his college career at Fort Valley State. His dream was to play professional basketball, but the Cowboys selected him in the seventh round of the 1967 draft. Wright turned down an offer from the NBA’s Cincinnati Royals to take the opportunity with the Dallas Cowboys.
“I realized that potential — playing for the Cowboys was a God-given opportunity, and I couldn’t ignore it,” Rayfield Wright said in his Hall of Fame speech. “I decided to attend the Cowboys’ training camp, which was in July; the Royals camp didn’t start till August. I kind of figured that if I didn’t make the Cowboys team, I could go right to the NBA.”
At 6-foot-6 and over 250 pounds, Wright was one of the larger players in that era of the NFL. He entered the league as a tight end and was a backup for two seasons. Then, legendary coach Tom Landry asked him about playing tackle. Wright had never played tackle in his life, so he was surprised by the request, but Landry told him he would make a good one.
Landry was correct. Wright first started at tackle in a 1969 game, lined up against the legendary Deacon Jones, the most dominant pass rusher of that era. Wright held his own and won the full-time starting job at right tackle in 1970.
Throughout his 13-year career, Wright earned three first-team All-Pro honors and made six Pro Bowls.
His success earned him a spot on the NFL’s 1970s All-Decade Team. Wright played on five Super Bowl teams, helping the Cowboys bring home two championships in Super Bowls VI and XII. Dallas never had a losing record in Wright’s thirteen seasons, including eight NFC championship game appearances.
“He was absolutely the best,” Hall of Fame quarterback Roger Staubach said before Wright’s Hall of Fame 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.”
Wright was nicknamed the “Big Cat” because he was so agile for his size.
“Rayfield Wright was the epitome of what it takes to be a Hall of Famer,” Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said. “His grit, his agility, his passion, his charisma, and his love for football, the community, and his family always shined through. The original ‘Big Cat’ helped shape the future of the Dallas Cowboys through his illustrious 13-year playing career.”
“Rayfield was a champion on and off the field. He remained an important part of the Cowboys family long after his playing days ended, and he will be deeply missed. Our love and support go out to his wife, Di, and the entire Wright family,” added Jones.