Anthony Wright (American football)
West Craven (Vanceboro) | |||||||||
College: | South Carolina | ||||||||
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Undrafted: | 1999 | ||||||||
Career history | |||||||||
Career highlights and awards | |||||||||
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Career NFL statistics | |||||||||
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Player stats at NFL.com · PFR |
Anthony Lavon Wright (born February 14, 1976) is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL) for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Dallas Cowboys, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals and New York Giants. He played college football for the South Carolina Gamecocks.
Early years
Wright attended
College career
Wright accepted a football scholarship from the University of South Carolina. As a redshirt freshman, he was a backup behind Steve Taneyhill, making 17 out of 27 completions for 207 yards, 2 touchdowns and one interception. As a sophomore, he became a starter after Taneyhill graduated, posting 1,850 passing yards, 8 passing touchdowns, 3 interceptions, 90 rushing yards and 3 rushing touchdowns.
As a junior, he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee against the University of Tennessee, missing the final two games of the season.[1] He had 1,685 passing yards, a school record 18 passing touchdowns, 5 interceptions, 44 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown.
As a senior, head coach Brad Scott platooned him with freshman Phil Petty, but still recorded 1,899 passing yards, 10 passing touchdowns, 10 interceptions, 56 rushing yards and 3 rushing touchdowns. He left as the school's fifth all-time passer, leading the school to a 12–21 record over the three years he was the starter, including one winning campaign and a 1–10 record in his last season.
College statistics
South Carolina Gamecocks | ||||||||||||||
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Season | Team | Games | Passing | |||||||||||
GP | GS | Cmp | Att | Yds | TD | Int | Rtg | |||||||
1996 | South Carolina | 11 | 11 | 131 | 244 | 1,850 | 8 | 6 | 123.3 | |||||
1997 | South Carolina | 11 | 11 | 139 | 252 | 1,685 | 18 | 5 | 130.9 | |||||
1998 | South Carolina | 11 | 11 | 145 | 273 | 1,899 | 10 | 10 | 116.3 | |||||
Career | 33 | 33 | 415 | 769 | 5,434 | 36 | 21 | 123.3 |
Professional career
Pittsburgh Steelers
Wright was signed as an
Dallas Cowboys
On August 30, 2000, Wright was signed by the Dallas Cowboys to their practice squad. Even though he hadn't played in an NFL regular season game, he was scouted in a preseason game between the Cowboys and the Steelers.
In November, he was promoted to the active roster after backup quarterback
In 2001, he became the backup quarterback after
Head coach Dave Campo released Wright from the team on September 1, 2002, following the acquisition of quarterback Chad Hutchinson during the offseason, while stating that Stoerner was better suited for the third-string quarterback role, in light of Wright's ambition to be a starter.[11]
Baltimore Ravens
Wright was signed by the Baltimore Ravens to their practice squad in 2002. After first round draft choice Kyle Boller injured his thigh in a game against the St. Louis Rams, Wright was activated from the practice squad on October 15.[12]
After the Ravens lost to the Miami Dolphins in his first start 6–9, Wright led a spectacular comeback against the Seahawks; with the score tied at three in the final minute of the first half, the Seahawks scored two quick touchdowns, and stormed to a 41–24 lead with seven minutes remaining, but Wright erupted with four touchdown throws and 319 passing yards in a 44–41 overtime triumph. Ravens head coach Brian Billick gave the game ball to Wright's wife, for waiting until after the contest to induce labor.
The Ravens won five of their last six games with Wright posting a 5–2 record and having a critical role in the team reaching the playoffs, where they lost a close game against the Tennessee Titans with a score of 20–17, with the difference being a 46-yard field goal with 29 seconds left. He finished the season with 1,199 passing yards, 9 touchdowns and 8 interceptions.
Wright missed the 2004 season after having surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder. Following another injury to Boller during the first game of the 2005 season, he was named the starting quarterback, but was again demoted after having a 2–5 record.
Cincinnati Bengals
With the departure of Carson Palmer's former backup quarterback Jon Kitna to the Detroit Lions, Wright signed a one-year deal with the Cincinnati Bengals on April 21, 2006, winning a competition with Craig Krenzel and Doug Johnson for the backup job.
New York Giants
On April 13, 2007, he signed as a free agent with the New York Giants, throwing him into a four-quarterback scramble for roster spots with Eli Manning, Tim Hasselbeck, and Jared Lorenzen. He was named the third-string quarterback in a season that saw the team win Super Bowl XLII, beating the previously undefeated New England Patriots.
On August 18, 2008, Wright suffered a back injury in a preseason game against the Cleveland Browns and was eventually placed on the injured reserve list on August 30. He wasn't re-signed the next season and decided to announce his retirement.
NFL career statistics
Year | Team | Games | Passing | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GP | GS | Cmp | Att | Yds | TD | Int | ||
1999 | PIT | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2000 | DAL | 4 | 2 | 22 | 53 | 237 | 0 | 3 |
2001 | DAL | 4 | 3 | 48 | 98 | 529 | 5 | 5 |
2002 | BAL | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2003 | BAL | 7 | 7 | 94 | 178 | 1,199 | 9 | 8 |
2004 | BAL | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2005 | BAL | 9 | 7 | 164 | 266 | 1,582 | 6 | 9 |
2006 | CIN | 4 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 31 | 0 | 0 |
2007 | NYG | 3 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 12 | 0 | 0 |
2008 | NYG | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Career | 31 | 19 | 332 | 605 | 3,590 | 20 | 25 |
Personal life
Wright has had two cousins play in the
Wright was shot multiple times after an argument on July 1, 2019, in Concord, North Carolina. He underwent emergency surgery to treat his injuries.[13]
References
- ^ "South Carolina Turns To Freshman Quarterback". Retrieved February 19, 2018.
- ^ "Farmer among 13 waived by the Steelers". Retrieved February 19, 2018.
- ^ "'Pactice Dummy' Takes Dallas Quarterback Role". Retrieved February 19, 2018.
- ^ "Foul play against Giants produced foul odor". Retrieved February 19, 2018.
- ^ "Titans rip Cowboys with big third-quarter spurt". Retrieved February 19, 2018.
- ^ "Wright ready to start for Dallas Cowboys". Retrieved February 19, 2018.
- ^ "Eagles Soar Past Cowboys". Retrieved February 19, 2018.
- ^ "Raiders keep Cowboys on skids, 28-21". Retrieved February 19, 2018.
- ^ "Cowboys, Redskins rivalry fell a bit short on Monday". Retrieved February 19, 2018.
- ^ "Colts finish in a flurry". Retrieved February 19, 2018.
- ^ "Cowboys release Seder, 17 others". Retrieved February 19, 2018.
- ^ "Transactions". October 16, 2002. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
- ^ Honeycutt, Jordan (July 1, 2019). "Former West Craven football star Anthony Wright shot". Sun Journal. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from NFL.com · Pro Football Reference