ARIZONA CARDINALS

Former Cardinal Jason Wright hired by Washington as 1st Black NFL president

Aug 17, 2020, 8:47 AM

FILE - In this Jan. 19, 2011, file photo, Arizona Cardinals running back Jason Wright, center, talk...

FILE - In this Jan. 19, 2011, file photo, Arizona Cardinals running back Jason Wright, center, talks to the media on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

(AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

Jason Wright, who played on the Arizona Cardinals for two seasons, has been hired as the president of the Washington Football Team.

He is the first Black person to be a team president in NFL history.

Wright was a running back in the league from 2004-2010, spending his final two seasons with the Cardinals.

After retiring, he got his masters in business administration from the University of Chicago. He most recently served as a partner for global consulting firm McKinsey & Company based in Washington, D.C., according to the Washington Post.

“I’ve been helping some of the most complex and important organizations around the world transform over the last few years, so for me it’s personal, an opportunity to bring together my two worlds in a really unique way at a really unique time,” Wright said on Good Morning America.

“And the fact that I happen to be Black and the most qualified person for this is a boost.”

At 38 years old, Wright is also the youngest team president in the NFL.

Wright will focus on the business side of Washington Football operations, including finances, sales and marketing, according to ESPN. Head coach Ron Rivera was given full power of football operations when hired in December.

Wright’s hiring comes as Washington is in the beginning period of massive overhaul. The team announced a name change this offseason and was accused last month by 17 women of allowing a culture of sexual harassment.

Wright said that he has seen signs of the team culture changing.

“Part of what excited me about taking this role is: We had a phrase when we played that said, ‘You don’t talk about it, you be about it,” Wright said.

“And I think what I’ve seen from Dan and Tanya Snyder, in the hiring of Coach Rivera and some of the decisions they’ve made to have an independent investigator brought in around the sexual harassment allegations, there are actual shifts and actions that suggest it’s a new day.”

Arizona Cardinals

Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals runs onto the field before the game against the Seattle Se...

Arizona Sports

Arizona Cardinals schedule to release on May 15, per report

The Arizona Cardinals already know what teams they will be playing and where, just not when. That date is soon approaching, per a report.

7 hours ago

Trey Benson celebrates...

Tyler Drake

Cardinals questions post-NFL Draft: Who takes over at RB2 behind James Conner?

Two names who could make a case to lock down the Cardinals' RB2 role include rookie Trey Benson and veteran Michael Carter.

11 hours ago

Markus Bailey celebrates after a play...

Tyler Drake

Cardinals sign ex-Bengals linebacker Markus Bailey to 1-year deal

The Arizona Cardinals signed former Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Markus Bailey to a one-year deal, the team announced Tuesday.

13 hours ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Could Zaven Collins still be part of the Arizona Cardinals’ future?

Wolf & Luke talk with former NFL player Lorenzo Alexander about Zaven Collins' future with the Arizona Cardinals.

13 hours ago

Taulia Tagovailoa throws a pass...

Tyler Drake

Report: Taulia Tagovailoa accepts invite to Cardinals’ rookie minicamp

Quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa has reportedly accepted an invite to attend the Arizona Cardinals' rookie minicamp kicking off this week.

13 hours ago

Zay Jones runs after the catch...

Tyler Drake

Report: Free-agent wide receiver Zay Jones visiting Cardinals

Former Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Zay Jones is reportedly visiting the Arizona Cardinals on Tuesday.

16 hours ago

Former Cardinal Jason Wright hired by Washington as 1st Black NFL president