Rayfield Wright

Larry Rayfield Wright (August 23, 1945 – April 7, 2022) was an American professional football player who spent 13 seasons as an offensive tackle for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League. Born and raised in Griffin, Georgia, by his mother, Opel Wright, he attended Fairmont High School, which was merged with Griffin High School. He earned a letter in basketball but was unable to make the high school football team. Wright went to nearby Fort Valley State College to play college basketball, where he was a standout. The following summer, head coach Stan Lomax had him quit his summer job at a mill to prepare to join the Wildcats' football team, trying him at free safety before using him as a punter, defensive end, and tight end.

Nicknamed "Big Cat" for his nimble feet, Wright played on five NFC Championship teams that advanced to the Super Bowl, following the 1970, 1971, 1975, 1977, and 1978 seasons, winning twice. As a rookie in 1967, he participated in the Ice Bowl against the Green Bay Packers for the NFL championship. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006.