Larry Rayfield Wright (born August 23, 1945 in Griffin, Georgia) is a former American football offensive tackle for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
During his first three years with Dallas, the six-foot-six, 255-pound "Big Cat" was used as a tight end, defensive lineman, and offensive tackle. But in 1969, Wright got his first chance as a starter after Ralph Neely was sidelined by injury. Wright's performance was so strong that he won a starting role as right tackle before the first day of the 1970 training camp.
For thirteen seasons, Wright played 166-games, started at right tackle in six NFC Championship games, and played in five Super Bowls, winning two of them (Super Bowl VI and Super Bowl XII). He earned his first of four All-NFL honors in 1971 and was voted that same year to the first of six straight Pro Bowls. Wright was named first- or second-team All-Pro each season from 1971 through 1976, earned three All-NFC honors, and the Cowboys led the league for total offense five times (ranked 6th all-time at retirement in 1979). His blocking (and leadership as the team's co-captain for 7 years) helped the Cowboys win 10 division titles and six conference crowns. In addition, Wright was named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1970s. Was voted the NFLPA NFC Offensive Lineman of the Year in 1972.
"Before undergoing knee surgery that forced him to miss most of the 1977 season, Wright was acknowledged as the NFL's premier offensive tackle."
Source: Wikipedia |
