Friday, October 10, 2008

LOUIS WRIGHT

Louis Wright
6'2" 200
Cornerback
Denver Broncos
1975 - 1986
12 Seasons
166 Games Played
26 Interceptions
11 Fumble Recoveries
512 Return Yards
4 Touchdowns
5 Pro Bowls




Louis Donnel Wright was drafted in the first round of the 1975 draft by the Denver Broncos. He was the 17th player picked overall. Wright first went to college at Arizona State University, but then transferred to San Jose State University. Wright was also a noted track star at SJSU. The long jump was his best event. Wright's San Jose State best of 25-feet-7 ranks in the top-five in school history. He also won two letters in track and once ran the 100 in 9.6 seconds. Wright started at Cornerback in his two years at SJSU, and intercepted 3 passes in his career there. After he finished his San Jose State career, he played in the 1974 East-West Shrine Game and 1974 Senior Bowl. Louis Wright is a member of the San Jose State University Hall of Fame.



Wright started all 11 games that he played in his rookie year. He intercepted 2 passes and recovered one fumble. In 1977, he had 3 interceptions for 128 yards. He also scored the first touchdown of his career. Wright was a key member of the "Orange Crush" defense that went to Super Bowl XII. Wright would garner his first Pro Bowl nod that year as well. Wright would make the Pro Bowl in each of the next 2 seasons as well. In 1979, Wright took a fumble 82 yards for a touchdown. In 1980, Wright was named to the UPI All-Conference Second Team. He ended up missing half on 1981 due to an injury, but still was named to the UPI All-Conference Second Team. Wright came back at full health for 1982 with 2 interceptions. Wright snared a career high 6 interceptions in 1983, and was named to the Pro Bowl team. In 1984, Wright would return a fumble for a touchdown and was named to The Sporting News All-NFL First Team, Pro Football Weekly All-NFL First Team, Pro Football Weekly All-Conference First Team, UPI All-Conference Second Team, and Newspaper Ent. Association All-Conference Second Team. 1985 saw him intercept 5 passes, and score the last touchdown of his career. Wright also made his last Pro Bowl team that year as well. Wright played his last season in 1986. He picked off 3 balls, and helped lead the Broncos to Super Bowl XXI. Louis Wright is a member of the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame.



Louis Wright was a shutdown Cornerback the day he walked onto an NFL field. Teams would hardly throw the ball to his side of the field. Wright was also a hard hitter, and was one of best run supporting Cornerbacks of his era. He was vital to the "Orange Crush" defense. Hall of Famer Stan Jones coached a line that featured Lyle Alzado and Rubin Carter. Tom Jackson and Randy Gradishar were top notch Linebackers. Strong Safety Billy Thompson was also great. The Broncos were #1 in the NFL against the run in 1977. Louis Wright was consistently excellent. His 163 starts rank seventh on All-Time in Broncos history. Opponents feared him. He is the greatest defensive back in the history of the Denver Broncos. Many of his contemporaries feel he was the best Cornerback in the AFC, if not the entire NFL, during his career. He was big, and fast. He wasn't one to blow his own horn, and has flown under the radar of the Hall of Fame voters since he has retired. Recreational football fans may look at his stats and not be impressed, but tackles were not a recorded statistic throughout much of Wrights career. He was always amongst the teams leaders in tackles, which is impressive when you consider how much teams tried to avoid him. If you were blessed enough to have seen Louis Wright play, then you would agree he deserves induction into Canton.



Notable Players Drafted In 1975 (* Denotes Canton Inductee)

1. Steve Bartkowski, QB, Atlanta
2. Randy White, DT, Dallas *
3. Ken Huff, G, Baltimore Colts
4. Walter Payton, RB, Chicago *
6. Robert Brazile, LB, Houston Oilers
8. Gary "Big Hands" Johnson, DT, San Diego
9. Mike Fanning, DT, LA Rams
10. Jimmy Webb, DT, San Francisco
11. Dennis Harrah, G, LA Rams
14. Glenn Cameron, LB, Cincinnati
16. Russ Francis, TE, New England
18. Thomas Henderson, LB, Dallas
20. Doug France, OT, LA Rams
22. Mike H. Williams, CB, San Diego
24. Neal Colzie, S, Oakland
25. Mike Mullaney, TE, Minnesota
26. Dave Brown, CB, Pittsburgh
28. Monte Jackson, CB, LA Rams
30. Louie Kelcher, DT, San Diego
31. Mike Hartenstine, DE, Chicago
33. Fred Dean, DE, San Diego *
36. Freddie Soloman, WR, Miami
38. Doug English, DT, Detroit
47. Bill Bain, OT, Green Bay
48. Leroy Jones, DE, LA Rams
53. Mike Washington, CB, Baltimore
55. Gary Burley, DE, Cincinnati
58. Willard Harrell, RB, Green Bay
63. Elois Grooms, DE, New Orleans
68. Richard Wood, LB, NY Jets
70. Bob Breunig, LB, Dallas
73. Mike Fuller, S, San Diego
77. Bo Harris, LB, Cincinnati
82. Tony Peters, S, Cleveland
85. Cleveland Elam, DT, San Francisco
90. Pat Donovan, OT, Dallas
95. Rick Upchurch, WR, Denver
98. Rod Perry, CB, LA Rams
105. Roosevelt Leaks, FB, Baltimore
108. Mike Thomas, RB, Washington
110. Revie Sorey, G, Chicago
116. Steve Grogan, QB, New England
117. Steve Freeman, DB, New England
120. Pat McInally, WR, Cincinnati
121. Rubin Carter, DT, Denver
122. Jeff West, P, Cincinnati
132. Fulton Kuykendall, LB, Atlanta
135. Bob Avellini, QB, Chicago
136. Billy Shields, OT, San Diego
141. Horace King, RB, Detroit
158. Jim Obradovich, TE, NY Giants
164. Rickey Young, RB, San Diego
171. Mark Cotney, DB, Houston
173. Mike Hegman, LB, Dallas
176. Pat Haden, QB, LA Rams
194. Leonard Thompson, WR, Detroit
199. Steve Foley, S, Denver
228. Dallas Hickman, LB, Washington
248. Ken Schroy, DB, Philadelphia
253. Roland Hooks, RB, Buffalo
257. Joe Danelo, K, Miami
259. Steve Sylvester, C, Oakland
262. George Martin, DE, NY Giants
263. Jeff Merrow, DE, Atlanta
271. John Sawyer, TE, Houston
290. Dick Ambrose, LB, Cleveland
291. Doug Plank, S, Chicago
311. Autry Beamon, DB, Minnesota
313. John Roman, OT, Baltimore
330. Herbert Scott, G, Dallas
349. Joe Fields, C, NY Jets
380. Brison Manor, DE, NY Jets
384. Art Kuehn, C, Washington
420. Roland Harper, RB, Chicago