News
7/27/22
2 min read
K.J. Wright Retires with the Seattle Seahawks
One of the best linebackers in Seattle Seahawks history, K.J. Wright, signed a one-day deal with the team Wednesday afternoon to officially retire as a Seahawk.
Always with us, @KJ_WRIGHT34. pic.twitter.com/8UwiBGBTIe
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) July 27, 2022
High Impact
A former fourth-round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, Wright joined fellow 2011 picks Richard Sherman and Byron Maxwell as foundational pieces in the Seahawks' famous "Legion of Boom" defense in the 2010s. Wright and teammate Bobby Wagner were one of the game's best off-ball linebacker tandems.
Wright helped Seattle achieve eight playoff bids, six consecutive winning seasons, three NFC West titles, two NFC championships, and back-to-back Super Bowl appearances. He was also a large part of the dismantling of Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos' historic offense in Super Bowl XLVIII. It was Seattle's first-ever Super Bowl win.
A rare combination of toughness and intelligence, Wright put on several different hats for the Seahawks. His versatility and willingness to do whatever was asked of him made him a coveted piece for Pete Carroll. He was a key cog on the Seahawks' defense for so many years. Pete Carroll has even referred to Wright as a "perfect teammate".
Community man
As good as Wright's on-field achievements have been, his off-the-field achievements are also worthy of praise. Wright has stepped up and been heavily involved with community work, both in Seattle and abroad.
Wright was the team's nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award in 2018 for his humanitarian achievements in Kenya. He traveled to Kenya where he delivered books and helped teach English to children in Kenya's Maasai Mara region. He also pledged $300 for each tackle he recorded that season towards the construction of a fresh-water well for the primary school in Maasai Mara.
After Wright signed with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2020, Pete Carroll said, "I love K.J. K.J. will always be a Seahawk."
Now, Wright retires as a Seahawk, leaving behind an incredible legacy.
