Tuesday, November 19, 2024 | Football, Chris Harry
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By: Chris Harry, Senior Writer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Word association, Florida football fans. Major Wright
What play comes to mind when you hear the name Major Wright?
Do we even have to ask?
"Maybe the biggest hit ever," Wright said.
Oklahoma wide receiver Manny Johnson would probably agree … if he remembers, that is.
On the first series of the Gators' showdown against the Sooners in the 2008 Orange Bowl national-championship game, OU quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford fired a bomb for Johnson down the left sideline. Wright, the standout sophomore safety, arrived with a full head of steam just as the ball got there and planted his helmet dead-square into Johnson's upper torso.
In 2024, the play would have resulted in a slam-dunk targeting penalty and ejection. Who knows? Given the violent nature of the play, Wright might have been suspended for the entire next season (maybe the season after that), as well. Whatever. Florida went on to win the game 24-14 and capture the program's third national crown, with Wright taking his rightful place in UF football lore.
That was 16 years, seven NFL seasons and another life ago. Wright, 34, went on to battle depression in his post-football career, but eventually centered himself by learning how to give of himself and now is a beloved philanthropist in his hometown of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. On Saturday, he'll be back in the stadium that adored him when he takes his turn as honorary "Mr. Two Bits" in the pregame run-up to the Southeastern Conference showdown between Florida (5-5, 3-4) and No. 9 Ole Miss (8-2, 4-2) in the '24 home finale at Spurrier/Florida Field.
"I've been wanting to do it," said Wright, who follows a greatest hits lists of former Gator Greats Jevon Kearse, Emmitt Smith, John L. Williams and Rex Grossman to lead the customary pregame cheer this season. "Now that I'm getting the chance and it's going to be amazing."
And Wright knows amazing.
He was one of the most sought-after defensive backs in the country during his prep career at powerhouse Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas. He started seven games as a first-team Freshman All American. As a sophomore, Wright started all 14 games, had 66 tackles, four interceptions (one for a TD) and won a national title. As a junior, he was part of just the third 13-win team in program history, as the Gators won the Sugar Bowl and finished No. 3 in the final Associated Press poll. Wright bypassed his senior season for the NFL, was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the third round and went to play seven seasons, including his last three with Tampa Bay.
Major Wright played four seasons with the Chicago Bears and registered 253 tackles, 22 passes defensed and nine interceptions, including three returned for touchdowns.
His final NFL season was 2016. After that?
"Things went south for me," he said.
Two years out of football, Wright was broke, dealing with depression and even contemplated suicide. He credits the love of UF teammate Joe Haden and his family for ferrying him through that perilous time, but there was also someone else. Someone random.
In 2018, Wright came across a man sleeping on a South Florida sidewalk. Wright spoke to the man (his name was David), something no passer-by had ever done. Wright was curious why David was there. He asked questions. He invited David to lunch. Over a hamburger and fries, David explained how he'd been to jail and had no one to lean on. If he could only get an ID, he could maybe get a job. He needed $25.
Wright got him the money, David got his ID, then a job. "Mr. GDT"
That was a Tuesday.
Wright has been doing random acts of kindness on Tuesdays ever since, and that's only part of his story. The conversation with David sparked the inspiration for Wright Way Charities, a program that provides resources for single mothers and children, and has helped more than 1,000 in Fort Lauderdale, Chicago and Tampa.
An offshoot of the program: Wright created a superhero character, "Mr. GDT" (that would be "Mr. Good Deed Tuesday"), who gets his powers from helping others. The character is now the face of his Wright Way charities and spawned a childen's book that has sold nearly 2,500 copies. The book (like the superhero) emphasizes empathy, gratitude and citizenship.
"This character now pushes kindness and teaches these kids how to be kind; to make kind cool," Wright said. "Instead of jumping back into football, I tried to so something to impact others' lives. Teaching kids how to be kind is something that will never get old and never go out of style."
Major Wright (seated center) with his Chicago kids.
Call his a Major gesture in giving back.
Now, it's Wright's turn to come back. Frankly, he deserves a "Two Bits" cheer for his efforts.
Email senior writer Chris Harry at chrish@gators.ufl.edu
