James Earl Wright, a quarterback for the Memphis Tigers from 1958 to 1961, died last week in Memphis as age 69.
Wright was born in Columbus, Miss., on March 27, 1939.
He is the son of the late Jay and Edna Wright.
Wright earned his degree from then-Memphis State University, where he lettered for four seasons in football. Earning acclaim as one of the greatest Tigers to ever suit up, he led MSU to an 8-2 record in 1961, passing for a nation's best 604 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Playing under coach Billy Murphy, Wright was named an All-American twice in his career.
Time Magazine once called Wright "the most dangerous back in the South," considering his ability to both run the option and make downfield throws with ease.
During his four-year career, Memphis State was 26-13, including back-to-back eight win seasons in 1960 and 1961.
He even almost led the Tigers to a win over the University of Alabama, coached by Paul "Bear" Bryant, in 1959. Instead, officials ruled he came up short of the end zone on a fourth-and-goal attempt, despite photographs showing he should have been awarded the touchdown, and subsequent victory.
Bryant was impressed regardless, and told Time that Wright was "too good to play for anybody but the University of Alabama."
Following his career with the Tigers, Wright was selected in the third round of the 1961 National Football League draft by the Philadelphia Eagles.
"We originally figured Wright for defense because of his great speed," said Eagles scout Frank Kilroy in the same Time article. "But how many kids can throw as well as he can?"
He was later drafted in the 14th round by the Boston Patriots of the American Football League.
Wright went on to play for the Canadian Football League's Edmonton Eskimos and for the NFL's Denver Broncos.
After his professional career, he went to work for Cargill Steel and Wire, and later retired as supervisor. From there, he spent time as a color analyst for Tiger football broadcasts.
In 1994, he was inducted into the Tennessee State Sports Hall of Fame.
The visitation and funeral for Wright were both held Tuesday in Saltillo, Tenn.
He is survived by his wife, Patty Wright of Memphis; son, James Earl Wright Jr. of Memphis; daughter, Kim Verona of Atlanta; sister, Tina Dickey and a grandson.
