| The Book |
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| The PREGAME |
Meet Larry Rayfield Wright—an
underprivileged underdog who turned into
a ‘Big Cat’. His story is a
candid tale of tears and triumphs, fears
and faith, and how adversity and an innocent
childhood prayer provided his beat-the-odds
inspiration. |
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| The FIRST HALF |
Rayfield Wright entered
this world penniless and poor in material
things yet abundantly wealthy in hope and
principle. Raised fatherless in the Deep
South, Rayfield’s first coach was
Big Mama, his faithful grandmother who devoted
hours each day teaching him respect and
the power of prayer. Other players on this
all-star team were his dedicated mother
and siblings, a cousin named Bubba, and
a persistent, committed leader named Mr.
Lomax. Little did they know that each day
in young Rayfield’s life would lead
to athletic fame. |
| Excerpt From Book |
 In
September 1966 (my junior year in
college), my athletic aptitude brought
me to a significant place. On the
court, I was averaging 28 points in
scoring and 21 rebounds per game.
Professional scouts began talking
with Coach Lomax about my abilities
and a future in basketball. One of
the most intriguing scouts was from
the Cincinnati Royals, ancestors of
the Sacramento Kings. The great Oscar
Robinson was their star at the time.
The recruiter asked if I’d be
interested in leaving college and
trying out for their team. Since my
main goal was to become a professional
basketball player, I told them “It
would be an honor to play for the
Royals. However, I made a commitment
to several important people in my
life that I wouldn’t leave college
under any circumstances until I received
my degree.” The Royals congratulated
me for making that decision and for
keeping my commitment. Nevertheless,
they let the door open for me to try
out after graduation. What a feeling
that was! It was like a dream come
true. I was confident that I had a
future in the NBA. |
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| The SECOND HALF |
Although the odds of
achieving success were stacked taller than
his 6-foot-7 frame, Rayfield tackled some
amazingly tough hardships and eventually
captured a starting position with the Dallas
Cowboys. During his 13-year career, he covered
Roger Staubach’s back and cleared
the way for the running and receiving talents
of Calvin Hill, Tony Dorsett, Robert Newhouse,
Drew Pearson and other Cowboys legends.
Football enthusiasts will enjoy this journey
through the sentimental ‘70s when
football was football and team rivalry was
unmatched. Through the eyes of this All-Pro,
fans will relive the Ice Bowl, the Hail
Mary pass, Super Bowls V, VI, X, XII, XIII
and other moments from the dynamic decade. |
| Excerpt From Book |
 Departures
and the Dirty Dozen 1975
...In the locker room at halftime
(of Super Bowl X between the Cowboys
and Steelers), we reviewed our strategies
and re-established our focus on
execution. We felt confident of
winning the title and were optimistic
that the next time we entered the
room it would be as national champions.
It was a scoreless, hard-fought
third quarter until the unexpected
happened. I was in the huddle waiting
for the next play from Coach Landry.
In the far distance, I was aware
of an uproar coming from the crowd
while I remained focused on my trials
with L.C. Greenwood and Mean Joe
Greene. Trying to catch my breath,
hands upon my knees, looking at
the turf, I suddenly noticed a pair
of tiny feet standing directly in
front of mine. Obviously, they didn’t
belong to a football player. Slowly
following the feet upward, I was
stunned to see a very well endowed,
provocatively dressed young lady.
As I began to stand, she promptly
kissed my helmet and quickly placed
something in my hand. It was some
type of charm. I hastily flung it
towards the sidelines just as rapidly
as the security guards approached
to escort her from the field. I
had no earthly idea who she was,
where she came from or why she was
there. Perhaps Deacon (Jones) sent
her! After all, he was the only
other person on the gridiron to
ever destroy my mental concentration.
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Thirteen years of professional
football. Five Super Bowl appearances. Six
years of playing in Pro Bowls. Four years
All-Pro. Voted twice by his colleagues as
Offensive Lineman of the Year. He is perhaps
the most decorated offensive lineman in
Dallas Cowboys history.
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Today, Rayfield Wright
is the CEO of Wright’s Sports and
Nutrition, President of PetroSun, LLC, and
the President of the Rayfield Wright Foundation.
In his spare time, he mentors children and
athletes and supports several charities.
He is also a motivational and inspiration
speaker at churches, schools, corporations
and other organizations throughout the United
States. Residing near Fort Worth, Texas,
Rayfield has four children and two grandchildren. |
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About the Co-Author:
Jeannette DeVader
is an award-winning ad designer who enjoys
a career in publishing. A native of St.
Marys, Kansas, she is a graduate from Emporia
State University, Emporia, Kansas and is
the owner of LakeSide Marketing in Fort
Worth, Texas. Forever the sports enthusiast,
Jeannette is thankful for being Rayfield’s
quarterback on this incredible project.
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