Anthony Wright (quarterback)
Encyclopedia
Anthony Lavron Wright is a retired American football
quarterback
. He was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers
as an undrafted free agent in 1999. He played college football
at South Carolina
.
Wright also played for the Dallas Cowboys
, Baltimore Ravens
, Cincinnati Bengals
and New York Giants
.
in 2000 after having made the Pittsburgh Steelers
roster in 1999 as an undrafted free agent, where he was the team's fourth-string quarterback (behind Kordell Stewart
, Mike Tomczak
, and Pete Gonzalez). He has played as a backup for most of his career, but has started many games in most seasons of play. In 2001, when Quincy Carter
was injured, Wright became his replacement, but would have a knee injury several weeks later and be replaced by Clint Stoerner
.
Dallas coach Dave Campo
released Wright from the team at the end of the 2002 offseason following the acquisition of Chad Hutchinson
in favor of keeping Stoerner for the third quarterback position, stating that Stoerner was better suited for the job, in light of Wright's ambition to be a starting quarterback. Wright was later signed by the Baltimore Ravens.
Wright would take over for Kyle Boller
at quarterback in November of the 2003 season when Boller was injured. After the Ravens lost to Miami
in his first start, 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 fast touchdowns, and stormed to a 41-24 lead with seven minutes remaining, but Wright erupted to four touchdown throws and 319 passing yards in a 44-41 overtime triumph. After the game, Ravens HC Brian Billick gave Wright the game ball to give to his wife, who was giving birth.
The Ravens won five of their last six games and Wright posted a 5-2 record, taking the team to the playoffs, where they lost a 20-17 grinder to Tennessee
. However, he was injured for the entirety of the 2004 season. Following another injury to Boller during the first game of the 2005 season, he was named as the starting quarterback for the Ravens. Prior to the 2005 season, he had a below-average quarterback rating of 62. Wright had a mediocre season for Baltimore in 2005.
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 Friday, April 21, 2006, winning a competition with Craig Krenzel
and Doug Johnson for the primary backup spot.
On June 7, 2007, Wright was showcased in a quarterbacks OTA feature on giants.com in an "amazing toss", accurately throwing a football into a dumpster across the practice field.
On April 13, 2007 he signed with the New York Giants, throwing him into a four-quarterback scramble for roster spots with Eli Manning
, Tim Hasselbeck
, and Jared Lorenzen
. During 2007, the Giants won Super Bowl XLII, defeating the previously undefeated new England Patriots. This gave Wright his only Super Bowl ring. On August 18, 2008, Wright had a possible concussion in a preseason game against the Cleveland Browns. He was later placed on the injured reserve.
After no team wanted to sign him, Wright decided to retire during the 2009 season.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
. He was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
as an undrafted free agent in 1999. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at South Carolina
South Carolina Gamecocks football
The South Carolina Gamecocks football team represents the University of South Carolina in NCAA Division I college football. The Gamecocks have been a member of the Southeastern Conference since 1992. Steve Spurrier is the current head coach, and the team plays its home games at Williams-Brice...
.
Wright also played for the Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
, Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his...
, Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL...
and New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
.
Professional career
Wright was signed by the Dallas CowboysDallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
in 2000 after having made the Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
roster in 1999 as an undrafted free agent, where he was the team's fourth-string quarterback (behind Kordell Stewart
Kordell Stewart
Kordell Stewart, nicknamed "Slash" , is a former American NFL quarterback. Stewart attended the University of Colorado and was drafted 60th in the 1995 NFL draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers...
, Mike Tomczak
Mike Tomczak
Michael John "Mike" Tomczak is a former American football player. Tomczak played quarterback for several NFL teams including the Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Cleveland Browns, and Pittsburgh Steelers....
, and Pete Gonzalez). He has played as a backup for most of his career, but has started many games in most seasons of play. In 2001, when Quincy Carter
Quincy Carter
Lavonya Quintelle "Quincy" Carter is a former American football quarterback. He was drafted in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys...
was injured, Wright became his replacement, but would have a knee injury several weeks later and be replaced by Clint Stoerner
Clint Stoerner
Clinton Jacob Stoerner is an American football quarterback. He is currently a free agent.-High school years:...
.
Dallas coach Dave Campo
Dave Campo
Dave Campo is an American football coach, a former head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, and currently secondary coach with the Cowboys.-High school years:...
released Wright from the team at the end of the 2002 offseason following the acquisition of Chad Hutchinson
Chad Hutchinson
Chad Martin Hutchinson is a retired National Football League quarterback and Major League Baseball pitcher. He played for the Chicago Bears and the Dallas Cowboys of the NFL and the St. Louis Cardinals of the MLB...
in favor of keeping Stoerner for the third quarterback position, stating that Stoerner was better suited for the job, in light of Wright's ambition to be a starting quarterback. Wright was later signed by the Baltimore Ravens.
Wright would take over for Kyle Boller
Kyle Boller
Kyle Bryan Boller is an American football quarterback for the Oakland Raiders of National Football League. He was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the first round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at The University of California.Boller has also played for the St...
at quarterback in November of the 2003 season when Boller was injured. After the Ravens lost to Miami
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
in his first start, Wright led a spectacular comeback against the Seahawks
2003 Seattle Seahawks season
The 2003 Seattle Seahawks season was the team's 28th season with the National Football League.-2003 NFL Draft:-Regular season:-Playoffs:-External links:* *...
; with the score tied at three in the final minute of the first half, the Seahawks scored two fast touchdowns, and stormed to a 41-24 lead with seven minutes remaining, but Wright erupted to four touchdown throws and 319 passing yards in a 44-41 overtime triumph. After the game, Ravens HC Brian Billick gave Wright the game ball to give to his wife, who was giving birth.
The Ravens won five of their last six games and Wright posted a 5-2 record, taking the team to the playoffs, where they lost a 20-17 grinder to Tennessee
Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter...
. However, he was injured for the entirety of the 2004 season. Following another injury to Boller during the first game of the 2005 season, he was named as the starting quarterback for the Ravens. Prior to the 2005 season, he had a below-average quarterback rating of 62. Wright had a mediocre season for Baltimore in 2005.
With the departure of Carson Palmer's former backup quarterback Jon Kitna
Jon Kitna
Jon K. Kitna is an American football quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League. He was signed by the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 1996...
to the Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
, Wright signed a one-year deal with the Cincinnati Bengals on Friday, April 21, 2006, winning a competition with Craig Krenzel
Craig Krenzel
Craig Krenzel is a former college and professional American football quarterback. He is currently a radio commentator for WBNS 97.1 The FAN in Columbus, which broadcasts the Ohio State Buckeyes football games.-High school career:...
and Doug Johnson for the primary backup spot.
On June 7, 2007, Wright was showcased in a quarterbacks OTA feature on giants.com in an "amazing toss", accurately throwing a football into a dumpster across the practice field.
On April 13, 2007 he signed with the New York Giants, throwing him into a four-quarterback scramble for roster spots with Eli Manning
Eli Manning
Eli Nelson Manning is an American football quarterback for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He is the younger brother of NFL quarterback Peyton Manning and the son of former NFL quarterback Archie Manning...
, Tim Hasselbeck
Tim Hasselbeck
Timothy Thomas "Tim" Hasselbeck is an American ESPN analyst and former professional American football quarterback for the New York Giants, Washington Redskins, Philadelphia Eagles, and Buffalo Bills....
, and Jared Lorenzen
Jared Lorenzen
Jared Raymond Lorenzen is a former professional football quarterback, who is currently the commissioner of the Ultimate Indoor Football League. He most recently played for the Northern Kentucky River Monsters. He was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2004...
. During 2007, the Giants won Super Bowl XLII, defeating the previously undefeated new England Patriots. This gave Wright his only Super Bowl ring. On August 18, 2008, Wright had a possible concussion in a preseason game against the Cleveland Browns. He was later placed on the injured reserve.
After no team wanted to sign him, Wright decided to retire during the 2009 season.
Stats
| Year | Team | GP | GS | Com | Att | Yds | TD | Int |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2000 | Dallas Cowboys | 4 | 2 | 22 | 53 | 237 | 0 | 3 |
| 2001 | Dallas Cowboys | 4 | 3 | 48 | 98 | 529 | 5 | 5 |
| 2002 | Baltimore Ravens | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2003 | Baltimore Ravens | 7 | 7 | 94 | 178 | 1199 | 9 | 8 |
| 2004 | Baltimore Ravens | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2005 | Baltimore Ravens | 9 | 7 | 164 | 266 | 1582 | 6 | 9 |
| 2006 | Cincinnati Bengals | 4 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 31 | 0 | 0 |
| 2007 | New York Giants | 3 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| 2008 | New York Giants | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 31 | 19 | 332 | 605 | 3590 | 20 | 25 |