The Washington Football team has hired former NFL running back Jason Wright as their new Team President, and the first black team president in NFL history, according to ESPN’s John Keim.
Wright becomes only the fourth former NFL player to climb to the role of team president.
“This team, at this time, is an ideal opportunity for me,” Wright said in an official team statement. “The transformation of the Washington Football Team is happening across all aspects of the organization — from football to operations to branding to culture — and will make us a truly modern and aspirational franchise. We want to set new standards for the NFL.”
Wright takes over for Bruce Allen, who was fired following the 2019 season, and new head coach Ron Rivera will retain the full power that he was given when hired.
Wright will focus on the business side only, including operations, finance, sales and marketing, and unlike Allen, won’t be involved in the football side of business.
“If I could custom design a leader for this important time in our history, it would be Jason,” Washington owner Dan Snyder said in a statement. “His experience as a former player, coupled with his business acumen, gives him a perspective that is unrivaled in the league. We will not rest until we are a championship caliber team, on and off the field.”