Jason Wright Up The NFL Contract To Join The Business School

In late December, Jason Wright (notes), a career crossroads, a flush with two superb opportunities.

Down one street was a scholarship to the University of Chicago School of Business Booth, authorizing the preparation of inner-city children, maybe someday, when you open a private school. Down another path had a contract with the Arizona Cardinals - worth more than $ 1 million season - to help their families economically and to continue the dream of many to play the most popular sport.

After the agent Mike McCartney said that Cardinal Wright retired, insisted the executive director Rod Graves, it would improve the return stroke the previous contract was for two years at $ 2 million. But the decision, questioned by Northwestern graduate himself.

"It was what was on my mind, the biggest setback," said Wright, who spent seven seasons in the NFL. "What is the reason behind me to play more? What is it that draws me in? So people know my name?

"For me it was superficial. For me and my family and our faith in God, it was not enough motivation."

Even if Wright felt different, his wife, Tiffany, was ready to go - with or without him.

"I was done with football," says Tiffany, who gave birth to the couple's first child, Gabrielle, four months ago. "No offense to the Cardinals, but I think it's better things to come. I know Jason will be able to improve things outside of football.

"I told him:" You can go back, but they are moving. ""

Wright, 29, does not know what his future, but it can work with disadvantaged youth, a slope inspired by his wife and his work in recent years with three young women, a homeless, they invited in their home.

"I'm worried about me and loved me," Karissa says Lockwood, 20, a student from Mesa (Arizona) Community College. "People ask me who is my family. They are my family now."

Leading by example

The NFL career, Wright, registered 633 yards rushing and had five touchdowns. His best season was with the Cleveland Browns in 2007, when he was an average of 4.6 yards per carry and finished 277 yards rushing, a career-high.

In two seasons with the Cardinals, despite playing in 31 games Wright has carried the ball only nine times for 45 yards. But it was special teams captain and undisputed leader of the halves, but he finished fourth last season's depth chart.

As a testament to his leadership, Wright might be called the running back and special teams will meet only on Friday afternoon and he will answer questions from young players - including first-round pick Beanie Wells (notes) - can have them be, they may be too embarrassed to ask a coach.

"He was the most generous man I've been around," Cardinals running backs coach Tommie Robinson said. "He knew every position, and made sure that the guys in front of him knew everything.

"When you say Jason Wright, the vast majority of fans do not recognize the name. But he brought intangibles that can not train. Or you have it or not. The kids love coming every Blue Moon."

Added one special teams coach Kevin Spencer: "When you exit the tunnel with him, you have a better football team."

Five-time Pro Bowl receiver Larry Fitzgerald (notes), the club has signed for a period of eight years, $ 128.5 million contract in August, Mr. Wright was loved and respected in the locker room.

"One of the best companions I've had," says Fitzgerald. "But Jason has a higher calling, and is on the Lord's plan. As a friend and a Christian, I admire courage.

"Going back to school, and having her first child, this is all brand new. But it requires a lot of courage."

Wright, who is seeking the MBA degree in public policy for the next three years, is about $ 4.5 million, while playing the NFL. But the Wrights lived modestly, spending about $ 12,000 on their weddings, and passes through some of the staples of life NFL, including expensive handbags and luxury cars.

"I was struck by the price," said Tiffany, who was on a blind date in February 2005 with Jason while attending Northwest, "and I think it's a good thing."

But the only reason to pause when the Cardinals made the final offer was the brochure for World Vision, carrying around her three-bedroom, Arizona.

"We could take two or three wells instead of one," Tiffany said, referring to the wells.

Family redefined

While Gabrielle Wright is only biological child, their family already included three maidens.

Two of them are teenagers from Cleveland, who met while teaching at Tiffany after school program through a nonprofit organization, the city of Mission. She connects with Jamie writing a poem, and was chosen as the "godmother" of the mother of Jamie.

But Jamie has a package to her friend Aisha, and sometimes both, six days a week at the home of Wright.

While the improved qualities of the two girls, Tiffany wanted to allow them to highlight Jason acts like a man and man.

When the couple announced that the girls had they moved to Arizona, shouted Jamie and Ayesha for 20 minutes. But Tiffany has promised it will continue to guide them, setting up conference calls with their teachers and to fly to Arizona for a visit during the summer.

"We are committed to them," says Tiffany.

So Karissa met at a church in Mesa.

A group of young leaders, presented Tiffany Karissa through another young woman from the church. A few weeks later, Karissa was discovered that Tiffany was not home during the week.

"It was one of those moments where," Why not let her come live with us? "We had the resources, time and space," says Tiffany. "So I said, 'If you can not find a place in a week, you can come live with us." "

The truth is, however, that Karissa had been homeless for months living in a nearby parking garage - one without a garage door.

Karissa and her older sister was in and out of foster care system. Karissa also claims that she and her sister were mentally, physically and sexually abused by older carers.

When she became homeless, Karissa had his backpack, an oversized purse, a box that includes a directory and a black suitcase with some clothes. An ex-girlfriend and a few neighborhood children brought him food on occasion, but in her despair, she sex for money.

"I just made a couple of times," he says. "But it was enough to really hate myself."

Therefore, not surprisingly, Karissa was more than reticent when Tiffany offered her a place to live - without conditions.

"I was really surprised. I was like, 'This is crazy." I was freaking out because I did not know what their motive was, "Karissa said." They were older. I do not know if I meet.

"But I need a place to live."

This was news to Jason, however, because Tiffany had not checked with him first. However, he fully supported his wife.

"I like the adventures of God that arise in life," he says cheerfully.

In addition, Tiffany and Jason came from families that emphasized serving the people.

Tiffany grew up in a suburb of Seattle, where his father was a drug and alcohol counselor who has always tried to rehabilitation in prison. Jason parents opened their home in Diamond Bar, California, for others, like an older woman and younger, including the fact that upwards of a year.

"My parents were like that," says Susan Wright, mother of Jason. "They have always opened their home to people in need, so I was not afraid, because that's what I was accustomed.

"My husband is very generous, and has a good heart. We just adopted a dog for him."

However, Susan said she was a little concerned that Jason and Tiffany would have been too young to lead a person of the need at home.

"They were not well done," said Susan. "But they felt comfortable, and they both have good hearts and great faith."

But this does not mean that Tiffany did not matter.

Inspiring Change

Initially, Karissa Wright did not give him a key or security code at home.

"I really do not trust a person," said Tiffany. "I feel I could have the usual reservations about" Can we trust this person? And if we live?

"I stuck my [bedroom] door at night."

Wright quickly, however, found the story of Karissa and slowly I trusted him. They read the Scriptures confirm the vision of God from him.

Karissa said he appreciated the fact that the Wright brothers never his judge.

But Karissa need pushing, where the Wright brothers, pushing him to do his work.

"They were the first people in my life I felt loved," Karissa said. "They were my older brother and sister, but they are practically the parental figures that I have ever had.

"People really loved me. This reassured me."

Karissa then flourishing.

Before that, he lived with them, Karissa had graduated from high school. But Wright encouraged him to continue his education, to help register Mesa Community College, and he was driving, and classes on a daily basis.

The Wright also paid his tuition.

But in June, after a year to provide a home Karissa, the Wright brothers had to move again, this time on the South Side of Chicago. Karissa had to find another place to live, but I was assured repeatedly, has always been a part of their lives.

"I was afraid I screw up and they would leave me. That was my fear, a lot of the time I was with them," said Karissa. "But every time I expressed my concern, they always said I was the family and the families to stay together.

"He never wavered on this point."

Before Wright left the country, Jason and Karissa Tiffany bought a green 1999 Honda Accord.

"I like it," Karissa said, proudly.

Completed over a year of courses, and Karissa asked if you want to transfer to Arizona State University or another school for a new beginning. But she knows that the Wright brothers will always be there for her.

And 'parents came to the house of Jason for Christmas, and often a picture of a little sister, Gabrielle.

When they hear comments Karissa, both Jason and Tiffany almost moved to tears.

"In addition to want to cry, I must say that although we obviously have been a blessing for her, so it was a blessing to us. And I'm not saying that in a superficial way, "says Tiffany. "Karissa is such an amazing woman young and I can not imagine not having in my family."

Jason adds: "I'm just saying glory to God.

"There is no doubt that it works through us, because we are not the big one."

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