Senior Feature -- Keith Wright
9/3/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 3, 2002
by Kyle Parrish
MU Athletic Media Relations
When defensive tackle Keith Wright was informed that he had been voted 2nd Team All-Big 12 he couldn't believe it.
"I was shocked by the news," says the 6'2", 285-pound senior. "I knew that I had been playing well, but being All-Big 12 definitely wasn't my focus."
To say that Wright played well is an understatement considering his explosion onto the Big 12 scene in the 2001 season.
In his first year of Division-I competition, Wright compiled 68 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and two quarterback sacks. He also forced two fumbles, recovering one, batted down three passes, intercepted a ball, and even blocked a kick.
What made Wright's season most rewarding was the long path he had taken to get there. For Wright, 2001 was the culmination of what amounts to a second chance in life.
While growing up in Sacramento, Calif., Wright ran with the wrong crowd.
"I got into some trouble back home, so they sent me off to boot camp."
"Boot Camp" is Arizona Boy's Ranch, a correctional facility and school for minors in trouble. Wright spent his high school years there working in the barren southwestern Arizona desert. The experience was invaluable for Wright.
"My time there really turned me around," Wright says. "It gave me a chance to grow up and figure things out. By being around kids who had been in trouble like me and even worse than me, I was able to see how I wanted to live."
Wright made the most of his time at the Boy's Ranch and was nationally recruited during his senior year. He initially signed with Arizona, but transferred to Sacramento City College for one year. During that season, he gained even more national recognition and was a Junior College All-American as well as an Academic All-American.
Wright looks at all his experiences as an advantage these days.
"I have been lucky to be all the places I've been. I've had the chance to do a lot of different things, play for different coaches, and work in different programs. Of course, Missouri has been the best in all of those categories."
In addition to being a man of considerable life experience, Wright boasts a good amount of practical experience as well. He recently completed the refurbishment of a 1968 Ford Mustang. While the sporty chrome and red wheel rims and white racing stripes that adorn the muscle car don't necessarily speak of a 285-pound defensive lineman, both owner and car share a motor that won't quit.
"It's a great hobby," says Wright. "I enjoy it because it gets my mind off of football. While I don't really have time for it during the season, I know that I can always go home and have that waiting for me."
Next up in Wright's garage is a 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle. Whether he knows it or not, Wright's project preference might be a hint of what he wants to do in football this season. The Chevelle has a little bit more muscle, size, speed, and --of course -- is one year older than last year's Mustang.
As with everything he's experienced beforehand, Wright is now making the most of his senior season, both as a player and a leader.
"Being a senior is just more fun than any other year," declares Wright. "Pretty soon I'll be done, and everybody wants to go out on a good note. It's hard to say just how this season will go. But I plan to work harder and play harder than ever."
It appears for now that Wright is doing both. On the field, Wright has entrenched himself as the anchor of the defensive line. To him, seniority is not what makes a team leader.
"Being a senior is important, but it's not as important as being a good team player. If you make plays out on the field, it doesn't matter how old you are -- you are a leader."
Off the field, Wright appears to take his seniority with a little more responsibility.
"I feel like, as a senior, I can be a guy for the younger guys to talk to. If they have questions or just need to be shown the ropes, that's what we're here for."
Such an attitude is apparent with Wright, who can be found giving freshman Brian Smith a ride in the Mustang. Wright is a good five years older than Smith and has likely been through a lot more than the young defensive end from Denton, Texas can imagine, but the senior treats the freshman with equal respect and friendly fraternity.
"Just you wait and see," Wright states officially. "These freshmen are good. You're going to see Smith here in the NFL someday."
Hanging out with and working with younger peers is important to Wright because it is a big part of what he wants to do with his career after college. The psychology major plans on counseling troubled kids when he leaves Mizzou.
"I've had a lot of experiences with kids in trouble and I know how a lot of them think. I feel like I could make a difference for some people," Wright says.
For now, Wright will continue to make a difference in his teammates' lives. They will, no doubt, rely on their senior tackle to do a lot in the 2002 season. However, no one will appreciate his time as a Tiger more than Wright himself. For him, it means redemption from his rocky start on life.
"I am so thankful for the way things have worked out for me," muses Wright. "If I had been a little bit older when I got into trouble, I might be doing nothing right now. Instead, I was able to move on with my life, learn my lessons, and come out a better person."
