By Nunnie Robinson
As a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., participation in the seven-day-a-week International Prayer Call has been a blessing in myriad ways. A major component of the call encourages brothers to intercede spiritually on behalf of others not exclusively Omega men.
On many occasions, I have listened to Brother Michael A. Wright, Kappa Lambda Chapter, North Carolina State University, intercede on behalf of his son, Michael A. Wright Jr., or, as his parents lovingly call him, MJ. His fervent aspiration is to become a professional football player, a journey that MJ has personally documented through video and various social media platforms.
His extraordinary journey should serve as an example and inspiration to other student-athletes with similar professional dreams and goals, whether in athletics or other pursuits.
MJ is a 2019 graduate of Red Bank Catholic High School in Red Bank, New Jersey. He excelled on the gridiron as a three-year starter at wide receiver and defensive back, helping lead the 2018 team to a state championship, the school’s first undefeated team at 11-0 in 58 years. Not only did MJ earn All-Conference and All-State honors, but his innate leadership qualities also led to his being named team captain. In addition, he was selected to the Jersey Shore All-Academic Team, attesting to his academic acumen and accomplishments.
MJ demonstrated his versatility as an athlete as a three-year starting point guard on the basketball team. At 5 feet 10 inches and 190 pounds, his physical abilities are equally impressive. He has run a 4.5-second 40-yard dash, recorded a 40-inch vertical jump, and posted a 10-foot-4-inch long jump.
Under-recruited out of high school, MJ received offers from St. Anselm and Colgate as a defensive back before accepting a scholarship to Fordham University in New York. At Fordham, he became a four-year starter and earned All-Conference honors in each of his four seasons, one of only eight players in Fordham history to accomplish that feat.
He concluded his Fordham career with 21 touchdown receptions, sixth all-time in school history; 185 total receptions; and 2,887 career receiving yards, also sixth all-time in Fordham history.
As a graduate student, MJ received additional offers from FBS schools. While pursuing his professional football dream, he remained academically focused. He completed his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration through Fordham’s Gabelli School of Business and is working towards completion of a master’s degree in Media Management.
In 2024, MJ declared for the NFL Draft. After going undrafted, he accepted rookie minicamp invitations—essentially tryouts with the New York Giants and Indianapolis Colts.
However, this is where perseverance manifests itself.
Undaunted by his status as an undrafted free agent, MJ continued pursuing his dream and signed a contract with the British Columbia Lions of the Canadian Football League (CFL) on January 25. Although he was released during the preseason, the grind continued.
His most recent endeavor was his participation in a United Football League showcase in Washington, D.C., on August 7, 2026. In MJ’s own words, despite the disappointing outcomes along the way, he kept fighting, kept working, and remained faithful, refusing to give up on himself.
At the Washington, D.C., tryout, more than 80 receivers were invited to showcase their talents. Because his last name begins with a “W,” MJ was one of the last players to perform. Given only four opportunities to run a route and catch a pass, he took full advantage of each one, running crisp routes and catching every pass thrown his way.
Because of his performance, MJ and five other receivers were brought back for additional repetitions. That opportunity confirmed that all of the work had been worthwhile and gave him renewed confidence to continue pursuing his dream of playing in the NFL.
I am reminded of Zach Thomas, an undersized linebacker out of Texas Tech who impressed Miami Dolphins head coach Jimmy Johnson so much that he not only made the team but ultimately became a Pro Football Hall of Famer. Like Thomas, MJ possesses qualities that cannot always be measured by size or draft status.
After seeing MJ on film, I believe he possesses the attributes necessary to play professional football. Sometimes, it is simply a matter of being in the right situation, at the right time, with the right coach, one with the vision and experience to recognize MJ’s potential and give him an opportunity.
MJ’s athletic and academic journey should serve as an example to young men and women everywhere. His story demonstrates that through hard work, discipline, self-determination, perseverance, and faith, extraordinary goals can remain within reach despite setbacks and disappointments.
To understand MJ’s personal attributes and character, one need look no further than his parents.
His father, Michael A. Wright, Sr., was a three-sport high school letterman in baseball, basketball, and football. A quarterback and class valedictorian, Michael went on to play strong safety at NC State from 1980–83 under head coach Monte Kiffin and position coach Pete Carroll.
He met his wife, Pam Dukes-Wright, at NC State, and they were united in holy matrimony in 1998. Pam played high school softball and ran track. It is obvious where MJ’s athletic ability comes from.
MJ started walking at nine months old and developed a love of sports at an early age. A Breach birth foreshadowed his athleticism. He was introduced to gymnastics, tennis, basketball, and flag football. His father recalls that MJ was an excellent tennis player and even worked with a professional instructor, although competition at that age presented challenges because of his size, physical development, and finding others his age to compete against.
From an early age, MJ has demonstrated the determination, versatility, discipline, and competitive spirit that have characterized his athletic journey. Those same qualities continue to fuel his pursuit of professional football.
MJ’s dream of playing professional football, despite the setbacks and disappointments he has encountered along the way, remains on an upward trajectory with no end in sight.
His journey is not merely about football. It is about refusing to surrender when the path becomes difficult, continuing to prepare when opportunities seem uncertain, and maintaining faith when the outcome is not yet visible.
MJ Wright truly is a paradigm of perseverance.
