K.J. Wright Story | Official Site

I owe everything to my family

My whole life, my family has been there, pushing me to live beyond limits.

Without their support, I wouldn’t have finished high school, graduated from college or fully understood the importance of knowing someone always had my back. And because of their influence, I give back. Always. From the younger players I mentor to friends and family I encourage to unleash the superhero inside them.

I’ve been blessed and I’ve worked hard. From high school football awards to earning a scholarship with the Mississippi State Bulldogs and becoming the fourth-round draft pick for the Seattle Seahawks. Pro Bowl and Super Bowl achievements are special, but being an example to the next generation is my passion. And when you find your passion, you’ve got to share it with the world.

Career Highlights

2017

Recorded a season-high 15 combined tackles in the Hawks’ 41-38 victory against the Houston Texans.
Made 6 combined tackles, deflected 2 passes and intercepted a pass by Dak Prescott in a 21-12 victory against the Dallas Cowboys; first interception since 2012.
Missed a Week 15 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams due to a back injury, ending a streak of 53 starts.
Finished the season with 108 combined tackles (71 solo), 6 pass deflections and an interception in 15 games and 15 starts.
Received an overall grade of 82.1 from Pro Football Focus, ranking 19th among all linebackers for the year.

2016

Started the Seahawks’ season-opener against the Miami Dolphins, recording a season-high 11 combined tackles and sacking quarterback Ryan Tannehill in a 12-10 victory.
Recorded a season-high 10 solo tackles in the Hawks’ 6-6 tie with the Arizona Cardinals.
Finished the season with a career-high 126 combined tackles (72 solo), 5 pass deflections and a career-high 4 sacks in 16 games and 16 starts.
Selected as a replacement for Ryan Kerrigan in the 2017 Pro Bowl; first Pro Bowl appearance.

2015

Tallied 9 combined tackles and forced a fumble during a 27-17 loss to the Green Bay Packers before being ejected in the third quarter for getting into a physical altercation with Packers’ tight end Richard Rodgers.
Recorded a season-high 14 combined tackles in the Seahawks’ 31-24 loss to the Carolina Panthers in the NFC Divisional round.
Finished the season with 115 combined tackles (71 solo), 3 pass deflections and a sack, starting all 16 games and posting over 100 tackles for the second year in a row.
Ranked 53rd by Pro Football Focus in their list of the year’s top NFL players.

2014

Signed a four-year, $27-million extension, including $10.18 million guaranteed and a $5-million signing bonus—the largest total-value contract of any outside linebacker in the NFL.
Named starting weakside linebacker to begin the regular season.
Recorded a season-high 13 combined tackles, a pass deflection and a forced fumble during a 30–24 victory against the Oakland Raiders.
Started all 16 games in 2014 and led the Seahawks in tackles with a career-high 107 (74 solo). Also recorded 2.0 sacks, 4 passes defensed, 2 forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
Started all three postseason games, recording 23 tackles (16 solo), with 11 tackles (10 solo) coming vs. New England in Super Bowl XLIX.

2013

Named starting linebacker to begin the regular season.
Collected a season-high 11 combined tackles during a 27-24 victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Made 3 combined tackles during a 19–17 loss at San Francisco before leaving with a foot injury, which was later discovered to be a broken foot and resulted in missing the rest of the regular season.
Recorded 8 tackles over two postseason games, with 7 of them (5 solo) coming in the Hawks’ SB XLVIII victory.
Despite missing three games, ranked fourth on the Seahawks with 80 tackles (46 solo) while also recording 1.5 sacks, 4 passes defensed and a fumble recovery.

2012

Recorded a season-high 11 combined tackles during a 14–12 victory over the Green Bay Packers.
Left in the first quarter of a 30–20 win over the Minnesota Vikings after suffering a concussion. Listed as inactive and remained in concussion protocol the following game.
Started his first career playoff game and recorded 8 combined tackles and a pass deflection during a 24–14 NFC Wildcard victory at the Washington Redskins.
Finished the 2012 season with 98 combined tackles (68 solo), 5 pass deflections, a sack, interception and fumble recovery in 15 games and 15 starts—playing on 92% of the Seahawks’ defensive snaps.

2011

Selected by the Seahawks with the second pick in the 4th round (99th overall) of the NFL Draft, signing a four-year, $27 million contract.
Made professional regular-season debut and first career start in the Seattle Seahawks’ season-opener at the San Francisco 49ers, recording 5 combined tackles
Started 12 of 16 games played and recorded 61 tackles (46 solo) and 2.0 sacks. Posted a career-high 8 tackles in back-to-back games (vs. St. Louis, 12/12/11, and at Chicago, 12/18/11).

'07-'10

Attended Mississippi State University on a football scholarship, starting 35 of 47 games (22 at strong-side outside linebacker and 13 at weak-side linebacker). Finished career with 259 tackles (131 solo), including 9 sacks for minus 60 yards, 23.5 stops for loss totaling 104 yards and 11 quarterback pressures. Forced and recovered 3 fumbles and had 14 passes defensed. Topped off college career by playing in the 2011 Senior Bowl and was ranked eighth-best outside linebacker prospect in the draft by NFLDraftScout.com.

'06-'09

Played football, basketball and ran track at Olive Branch High School in Olive Branch, Mississippi. Named first-team, all-state defensive line by The Clarion-Ledger, recording 91 total tackles during senior season, 48 of which were solo tackles. Listed as the number 19 prospect in Mississippi following senior season by Rivals.com and regarded as the nation’s 45^th-best strong-side outside linebacker. Received scholarship offers from Auburn, Arkansas, Ole Miss, South Carolina and Mississippi State, committing to MSU as a senior.