Alexander Wright (American football) facts for kids

Alexander Wright, born on July 19, 1967, is a former American football player. He played as a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) for teams like the Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Raiders, and St. Louis Rams. He was known for his incredible speed, winning the NFL's "Fastest Man" competition twice! He also played college football at Auburn University.

Early Life and High School Sports

Alexander Wright grew up in Albany, Georgia. He went to Albany High School. For most of his high school years, he focused on track and field. He was a very fast runner! In his senior year, he decided to join the football team. He played as a wide receiver and a cornerback. His amazing athletic skills allowed him to guard other players by himself.

College Football Career at Auburn

Wright earned a football scholarship to Auburn University. At first, he played as a defensive back. However, he wasn't the best at tackling. So, in his second year, he moved to wide receiver.

Becoming a Starter

In his junior year, Wright got his first chance to start a game. He played against the University of Tennessee. He caught 3 passes for 108 yards, including a 75-yard touchdown! That season, he had 12 catches for 279 yards and 2 touchdowns.

He slowly got better at playing offense. In his senior year, he became a full-time starter. In the first game of that season, he had an amazing performance. He set school records with 263 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns! He also had a great game against the University of Alabama, catching 7 passes for 143 yards. Auburn won that game 30–20.

College Records and Achievements

Wright finished his college career with 56 catches for 1,320 yards and 11 touchdowns. He led his team in catches, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns in his senior year. He still holds the school record for the highest average yards per catch, with 23.57 yards! This means he gained a lot of yards every time he caught the ball. Many of his touchdowns were from very long distances, often over 50 yards.

Track and Field Success

Besides football, Wright was also a talented track and field athlete at Auburn. In 1988, he won two titles in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). He won the 55 meters and the 200 meters races. He was one of only two athletes in SEC history to be named an All-American in three different events.

Professional Football Career

Wright was known for his incredible speed even before he joined the NFL. At the NFL Combine, he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.42 seconds.

Dallas Cowboys Years

The Dallas Cowboys picked Alexander Wright in the second round of the 1990 NFL draft. He was the very first wide receiver chosen that year. The Cowboys saw him as a very fast and talented athlete. They hoped he would become a player who could catch long passes.

He missed some training camp because of his contract. But in his second preseason game, he returned a kickoff for a 90-yard touchdown! In 1991, he started as a wide receiver for the first 8 games. He was also a great kickoff returner on special teams. He ranked third in the league for kickoff returns. On December 22, 1991, he set a Cowboys record with a 102-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons. As of 2025, he is still one of only two Cowboys players with multiple kickoff return touchdowns.

Wright was one of the fastest players in the NFL. He won the NFL's "Fastest Man" competition in both 1992 and 1993. In May 1991, he was timed running the 40-yard dash in an amazing 4.14 seconds!

Los Angeles Raiders Years

In 1992, Wright was traded to the Los Angeles Raiders. The Raiders wanted his speed to help their offense. In 1993, he had his best season, catching 27 passes for 462 yards. In the last game of that season, he caught a game-tying touchdown pass. This helped the Raiders win and make it to the playoffs!

St. Louis Rams Years and Retirement

In 1995, Wright signed with the St. Louis Rams. Unfortunately, he had back problems that caused him to miss many games. He retired after the 1996 season due to these health issues.

Career Statistics

Coaching and Ministry Career

After his football career, Alexander Wright continued his education. In 1999, he earned a Master's degree in sports management. He then began a career in coaching football.

He coached wide receivers at Francis Howell North High School and West Texas A&M University. He also served as an offensive coordinator at Greensboro College and Southwestern Assemblies of God University. From 2008 to 2010, he was the athletic director and head football coach at San Jacinto Christian Academy. He also helped with the track team there.

Later, Wright moved to San Antonio to focus on his ministry. He is now the President and CEO of Alexander Wright Ministries in Amarillo. He also serves as a pastor at Cornerstone Church in San Antonio.