Jason Wright
Jason Wright is an American former professional football player and sports executive who served as president of the Washington Commanders (then Washington Football Team) from August 2020 until relinquishing the role in July 2024 to become a senior advisor, departing the organization by season's end.[1][2] His appointment marked him as the first African American team president in NFL history, the youngest active president in the league at the time, and only the fourth former player to hold the position.[2][3] A running back who played seven seasons in the NFL from 2007 to 2013 for the San Francisco 49ers, Cleveland Browns, and Arizona Cardinals—where he was a team captain and NFL Players Association representative—Wright transitioned to business consulting post-retirement.[4][5] He earned an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business in 2013 and joined McKinsey & Company, rising to roles in operations, strategy, and diversity initiatives before entering NFL front office leadership.[6] In his Commanders tenure, Wright oversaw business operations, fan engagement, and the franchise's rebranding from the Washington Football Team to the Commanders in 2022, earning recognition as the Sports Business Journal's "Best Hire of 2020."[7][8]
Early life and education
Upbringing and family background
Jason Wright was born on July 12, 1982, in Upland, California, and raised in Pomona within the Los Angeles metropolitan area.[9][10] He grew up in a hardworking family that prioritized education and resilience amid challenges. His mother worked as a flight attendant on long-haul routes across the Pacific, exemplifying dedication through demanding travel schedules.[10][11] Wright's father, a civil rights activist affiliated with the Black Panthers, encountered job loss due to his advocacy before establishing an independent insurance sales business.[10][12] This familial pattern of overcoming systemic barriers extended to his grandfather, who co-founded NAACP chapters in east Texas and was dismissed from teaching for his civil rights efforts.[13][12] Such influences fostered a disciplined mindset in Wright from childhood, reinforced by parental expectations that produced an academically excellent student.[14] The competitive Southern California environment, with its emphasis on youth sports and community activities, exposed Wright to structured athletic pursuits early on, nurturing his interest in football during elementary and middle school.[15] This foundation, combined with familial values of perseverance, shaped his approach to both academics and physical development without early reliance on formal coaching.[5]High school and athletic development
Wright attended Diamond Bar High School in Diamond Bar, California, where he competed as a running back on the varsity football team during his high school years, culminating in graduation in 2000.[5][14] Over his prep career, Wright rushed for 32 touchdowns on 487 carries, averaging 5.4 yards per attempt, while adding 577 receiving yards and two scores on 54 catches, demonstrating versatility in both rushing and pass-catching roles that honed his ball-carrying skills and field vision.[5] As a key contributor under head coach Terry Roche, he helped lead the Brahmas to back-to-back CIF Southern Section Division X championships in 1998 and 1999, including scoring the game-winning touchdown in the 1999 title game victory.[14][16] These achievements underscored Wright's physical development, agility, and competitive drive, positioning him for collegiate recruitment despite not earning widespread all-state recognition; his performance directly secured a football scholarship to Northwestern University.[5][14]College career at Northwestern
Wright played college football for the Northwestern Wildcats as a running back from 2000 to 2003, initially starting at the position before briefly transitioning to wide receiver and returning to running back.[12] Over four seasons, he accumulated 2,625 rushing yards on an unspecified number of carries and scored 32 rushing touchdowns, while adding 53 receptions for 571 yards and 2 receiving touchdowns.[17] His breakout junior year in 2002 featured 1,234 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns, ranking sixth in the Big Ten for rushing, along with second in the conference for all-purpose yards per game; as a senior in 2003, he rushed for 1,388 yards and 20 touchdowns, leading the Big Ten with 21 total touchdowns and 126 points scored.[17][18] Wright earned two-time All-Big Ten honors and served as team captain in his final season.[4][12] In the 2003 Motor City Bowl, Wright set a bowl record with 237 rushing yards on 21 carries despite a Northwestern loss.[19] His versatility extended to kick returns and receiving, contributing to Northwestern's offensive strategies during a period when the team competed in the Big Ten Conference.[17] Academically, Wright majored in psychology at Northwestern's Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences, maintaining a 3.20 grade-point average, and was selected to the Verizon Academic All-America first team in 2002.[18][12] He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology in 2004.[20]NFL playing career
Entry into the league and early teams
Wright went undrafted in the 2004 NFL Draft after a college career at Northwestern University, where he had rushed for over 2,600 yards.[21] He signed as an undrafted free agent with the San Francisco 49ers on April 26, 2004, but was waived on August 31, 2004, prior to the regular season, receiving no game appearances.[5] This initial cut exemplified the challenges faced by undrafted players seeking to establish an NFL foothold amid intense competition for roster spots.[22] Following his release, Wright joined the Atlanta Falcons' practice squad in October 2004, experiencing multiple releases and re-signings that underscored the precarious nature of fringe roster status.[23] Elevated to the active roster on December 14, 2004, he debuted in the NFL that month, appearing in two games with three rushes for 10 yards while serving primarily as a depth running back.[21] These limited opportunities highlighted his role as a special teams contributor and backup, building experience through practice squad duties rather than prominent playing time.[21] In 2005, Wright signed with the Cleveland Browns, marking his transition to a more stable but still marginal role on the depth chart. He appeared in three games that season, rushing 11 times for 27 yards and scoring his first NFL touchdown against the Tennessee Titans, alongside one kick return for 17 yards.[21][9] These early stints with the Browns involved frequent roster flux and minimal offensive snaps, fostering resilience amid repeated battles for retention on a team undergoing coaching changes and rebuilding efforts.[24]Tenure with the Arizona Cardinals
Wright signed with the Arizona Cardinals as a free agent on March 16, 2009, agreeing to a two-year contract valued at $2 million.[25][26] During the 2009 and 2010 seasons, he contributed primarily as a reserve running back and on special teams, appearing in 32 games with 15 rushes for 53 yards and 11 receptions for 79 yards.[27][28] The Cardinals appointed Wright a team captain ahead of the 2010 season, recognizing his leadership and reliability.[11] As the team entered the 2011 offseason amid the NFL lockout from March 12 to July 25, he served as the Cardinals' NFL Players Association player representative, advocating for players' interests during negotiations.[29][30] Wright retired from professional football in July 2011.[31]Career statistics and leadership roles
Wright appeared in 68 regular-season games over seven NFL seasons (2005–2011), primarily as a reserve running back. His career rushing totals included 168 carries for 633 yards, averaging 3.8 yards per attempt, with 2 rushing touchdowns and a longest run of 32 yards.[21][32] He also contributed as a receiver, logging 72 receptions for 581 yards (8.1 yards per catch) and 3 receiving touchdowns, with a longest reception of 48 yards.[21][33]| Statistic | Career Total |
|---|---|
| Games Played | 68 |
| Rushing Attempts | 168 |
| Rushing Yards | 633 |
| Yards per Carry | 3.8 |
| Rushing Touchdowns | 2 |
| Receptions | 72 |
| Receiving Yards | 581 |
| Yards per Reception | 8.1 |
| Receiving Touchdowns | 3 |