Jason Wright

Jason Wright
Born	(1982-07-12) July 12, 1982 Upland, California, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Business consultant, NFL executive, former professional football player
Years active	2004–2011 (NFL playing career), 2013–present (business career)
Known for	First Black president of an NFL franchise (Washington Commanders)

Jason Gomillion Wright (born July 12, 1982) is a prominent American business consultant. During the early 2000s, he attended Northwestern University, where he played American football as a running back for the Wildcats while completing a degree in psychology. In the National Football League (NFL), Wright contributed as a backup running back and special teamer for the Atlanta Falcons, Cleveland Browns, and Arizona Cardinals. He also acted as the NFLPA representative for the Cardinals amid the 2011 NFL lockout before concluding his playing career.

Wright obtained an Master of Business Administration from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. In 2013, he joined the Washington, D.C. office of the consulting firm McKinsey & Company, specializing in workplace culture advisory. He made history as the first black president of an NFL franchise, heading the Washington Commanders from August 2020 until July 2024. Additionally, Wright maintains business partnerships with the Union Theological Seminary, Greater Washington Partnership, and The Economic Club of Washington, D.C..

Early life and college

Born in Upland, California, Wright was raised in Pomona and attended Diamond Bar High School in Diamond Bar, California. There, he earned varsity letters in football and track before securing a football scholarship to Northwestern University. Beginning his collegiate career in 2000, he transitioned from wide receiver to running back. A significant moment in August 2001 was the passing of a teammate due to an asthma attack, which profoundly affected Wright's spiritual beliefs.

In the 2003 Motor City Bowl, Wright earned co-MVP honors by rushing for 237 yards on 21 attempts and was named to the second-team All-Big Ten. Over his college tenure, he accumulated 32 touchdowns on 487 carries and ranked fourth all-time at Northwestern with 2,625 rushing yards, while also placing third in all-purpose yardage with a total of 4,030.

Wright graduated from Northwestern's Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology. He held the position of president for the university's Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapter and was honored with the inaugural Bobby Bowden Award in 2003.

NFL playing career

Despite participating in the NFL Combine, Wright was not selected in the 2004 NFL draft. Following the draft, he signed with the San Francisco 49ers but was released during final roster cuts. Subsequently, Wright joined the practice squad of the Atlanta Falcons, experiencing multiple releases and re-signings. In December 2004, he was elevated to the active roster and appeared in two games before signing with the Cleveland Browns during the 2005 offseason. That year, he recorded his first NFL touchdown against the Tennessee Titans.

Wright spent three seasons with Cleveland as a backup and third-down running back behind starters Reuben Droughns and Jamal Lewis. In 2009, he secured a two-year contract worth $2 million with the Arizona Cardinals. He served as a team captain and represented the Cardinals as their NFLPA delegate throughout the 2011 NFL lockout, retiring from professional play in July 2011. His NFL career totals include 168 rushing attempts for 633 yards and two touchdowns, alongside 72 receptions totaling 581 yards and three touchdowns.

Business career

Following the conclusion of his athletic career, Wright pursued and obtained an MBA specializing in operations and finance from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business in 2013. That same year, he began working at McKinsey & Company as a consultant, where he provided guidance to organizations on issues such as organizational culture, workplace diversity initiatives, and complexities involving branding and historical legacy.

Beginning in 2017, Wright took on a role as a trustee for the Union Theological Seminary in New York. Since 2021, he has co-led the Greater Washington Partnership's Inclusive Growth Strategy Council alongside Sheila Johnson. Furthermore, he holds membership in The Economic Club of Washington, D.C. and delivered a presentation at one of their gatherings in February 2022.

Washington Football Team / Commanders

In August 2020, Wright was appointed as the president of the Washington Football Team, where he managed the organization's business functions, financial affairs, and marketing strategies. He made history as the first Black individual to serve as president of an NFL franchise and was also the youngest person holding such a position at that time. Additionally, Wright is among a select group of only four former players who have ascended to this executive role. He played an instrumental part in the team's 2022 transition and rebranding to become the Commanders. In 2024, Wright emerged as a finalist for the presidency and CEO position with the Green Bay Packers, aiming to succeed Mark Murphy. Although he stepped down from his role as Commanders president in July 2024, he continued to contribute as a senior advisor throughout that season.

Personal life

Wright’s family background is strongly connected to civil rights advocacy. His great-great uncle, Charles Gomillion, served as a professor at Tuskegee University and was the plaintiff in the landmark Supreme Court case Gomillion v. Lightfoot, which played a crucial role in shaping the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Wright’s middle name pays tribute to Gomillion’s legacy. His grandfather, Harvey Wright, was instrumental in establishing multiple NAACP chapters across Texas. His sister Allison practices law as a public defender in Massachusetts.

In 2007, Wright married Tiffany Braxton; they met while attending Northwestern University. He maintains a close friendship with Michael Blake, former Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee, who provided counsel during Wright’s transition into his role with the Commanders. Wright received recognition as "Best Hire of 2020" by Sports Business Journal and was included in Black Enterprises "Top 40 under 40" list in 2021.

External links

• Archived Washington Commanders profile
• Archived McKinsey & Company profile
• Archived Northwestern Wildcats profile