Fearon Kenroy Wright (born September 30, 1978) is a Jamaican-born former American football linebacker. He played college football at Rhode Island. Professionally, he played one season for the Minnesota Vikings in 2001 before a season ending injury. He made a comeback to pro football with the American Indoor Football Association in 2008.
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| Position: | Linebacker | ||||
| Personal information | |||||
| Born: | September 30, 1978 Jamaica | ||||
| Height: | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||||
| Weight: | 235 lb (107 kg) | ||||
| Career information | |||||
| High school: | James J. Ferris (Jersey City, New Jersey) | ||||
| College: | Rhode Island | ||||
| Undrafted: | 2001 | ||||
| Career history | |||||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||
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Early life and college career
editBorn in Jamaica, Wright emigrated to the U.S. with his mother at age 13.[1] Wright graduated from James J. Ferris High School in Jersey City, New Jersey.[2]
Wright began his college football career at the junior college level at Dean College, where he was the leading tackler with 68 tackles and honorable mention all-conference in 1998.[2] Wright transferred to the University of Rhode Island, where he played for the Rhode Island Rams at defensive end from 1999 to 2000.[3] In 1999, Wright had 24 total tackles, one fumble recovery, and one pass deflected.[2] A team co-captain in 2000, Wright started all 11 games and had 76 tackles, including a team leading 14 tackles for loss. He also had seven sacks, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and three passes deflected.[3]
Pro career
editAfter the 2001 NFL draft, Wright signed with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent on May 31, 2001 as a linebacker.[3] Playing mostly on special teams, Wright had two tackles in seven games.[4] However, Wright had a season ending shoulder injury and was placed on injured reserve in November; the Vikings eventually released Wright on February 21, 2002.[1][5] Wright retired from football after being released.[1]
In 2008, Wright returned to pro football with the Carolina Speed of the American Indoor Football Association (AIFA).[1] He then played for the Baltimore Mariners from 2009 to 2011, winning the AIFA championship in 2010, before playing for the Harrisburg Stampede in 2012.[6][7]
Outside of football
editWright has also been a motivational speaker.[8] He and Baltimore Mariners teammate Isaiah Grier made guest appearances on The Steve Wilkos Show episode "Teen Boys in Trouble" aired on April 15, 2010 talking teenage boys against joining a gang.[9][10] Wright then appeared on the Wilkos episode "I'm Black, But I Want To Be White" in 2011.[11]
References
edit- ^ a b c d Carr, Kaitlyn (July 5, 2010). "Mariners' Wright gives back off gridiron". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on June 21, 2021. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
- ^ a b c "Fearon Wright". University of Rhode Island. Archived from the original on March 29, 2005. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
- ^ a b c "Fearon Wright". Minnesota Vikings. Archived from the original on February 5, 2002. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
- ^ "Fearon Wright". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
- ^ "Roster Moves". Minnesota Vikings. Archived from the original on June 7, 2002. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
- ^ "Baltimore Mariners' D Claws Lions". AIFA. May 24, 2009. Retrieved October 30, 2020 – via Our Sports Central.
- ^ "Former NFL and Rhode Island Stand-Out Fearon Wright Signs with Stampede". AIFA. December 18, 2011. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
- ^ "About". February 11, 2010.
- ^ The Steve Wilkos Show (March 6, 2013). "Teen Boys In Trouble". YouTube. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
- ^ "The Steve Wilkos Show | TV Guide". TVGuide.com.
- ^ "Video". www.youtube.com. Retrieved November 3, 2020.