Forty-seven years ago today, Keith Wright recorded the longest punt return (97 yards) in Tiger football history against North Texas State. Keith Wright was my favorite player as a kid. He still holds the career record at Memphis for most punt return yardage (816 yards) and most career punt return touchdowns (4), while playing from 1974 to 1977. Wright was drafted by the Cleveland Browns upon graduation and played three years in the NFL before injuries ended his pro career. GTG!

(10-26-2021 05:38 PM)Virginia Tiger Wrote:  Forty-seven years ago today, Keith Wright recorded the longest punt return (97 yards) in Tiger football history against North Texas State. Keith Wright was my favorite player as a kid. He still holds the career record at Memphis for most punt return yardage (816 yards) and most career punt return touchdowns (4), while playing from 1974 to 1977. Wright was drafted by the Cleveland Browns upon graduation and played three years in the NFL before injuries ended his pro career. GTG!

7-4, 7-4, 7-4, 6-5 during his time then the fall really began. Thank you Richard Williamson.

The Dude could BALL

I want to say as a kid I heard the call by Jack Eaton on the radio. I always listened to the games. Wright was always ready to break a big play. I would say that, until DeAngelo came along, Wright created to most anticipation and excitement of any player when he had the ball.

He also had a long catch and pass while in the NFL. Something like 90 yards or so.

I was lucky to see all his games. Most exciting returner until Tony Pollard. He could turn an 18 inch gap into a 97 yard punt return. Those teams were special and i was at every game from '70 to '77. Auburn went down with LLPaterson. Wonderful memories with Lummy's lil' bro.

My dad is a Tigers fan and I was a kid becoming one back in those days.
We had the "Three Keiths" - Wright, Simpson, Butler.

did Earnest Gray play at the same time as Wright? I seem to remember them being quite the combination

(10-27-2021 10:35 AM)BinghamptonNed Wrote:  did Earnest Gray play at the same time as Wright? I seem to remember them being quite the combination

Yes, as I recall they did.

(10-27-2021 10:35 AM)BinghamptonNed Wrote:  did Earnest Gray play at the same time as Wright? I seem to remember them being quite the combination

Yeah, he did. He was fantastic. I think he was a senior in 1980 maybe, then got drafted and played well for the NY Giants. He may have been the better WR but didn't have the explosiveness that Wright did. Gray had the better NFL career.

(10-27-2021 09:24 AM)Tiger87 Wrote:  My dad is a Tigers fan and I was a kid becoming one back in those days.
We had the "Three Keiths" - Wright, Simpson, Butler.

All three were great Tigers. I guess I remember Keith Butler the best, along with Ernest Gray.

(10-26-2021 07:29 PM)Tigerx3 Wrote:  

(10-26-2021 05:38 PM)Virginia Tiger Wrote:  Forty-seven years ago today, Keith Wright recorded the longest punt return (97 yards) in Tiger football history against North Texas State. Keith Wright was my favorite player as a kid. He still holds the career record at Memphis for most punt return yardage (816 yards) and most career punt return touchdowns (4), while playing from 1974 to 1977. Wright was drafted by the Cleveland Browns upon graduation and played three years in the NFL before injuries ended his pro career. GTG!

7-4, 7-4, 7-4, 6-5 during his time then the fall really began. Thank you Richard Williamson.

Well in fairness several other things played into that. A certain “slush fund” comes to mind. Only us old timers probably remember that.

(10-27-2021 10:35 AM)BinghamptonNed Wrote:  did Earnest Gray play at the same time as Wright? I seem to remember them being quite the combination

Eager Earnest Gray, Crafty Keith Wright and Tricky Ricky Rivas

(10-29-2021 10:17 AM)Eagleonpar Wrote:  

(10-27-2021 10:35 AM)BinghamptonNed Wrote:  did Earnest Gray play at the same time as Wright? I seem to remember them being quite the combination

Eager Earnest Gray, Crafty Keith Wright and Tricky Ricky Rivas

Seems as a youngster at a game with my Pop's I recall Wright taking a punt off a bounce or maybe 2 and returning for TD... It was a thing of beauty. Also recall a reception from Earnest Gray that went for like 99 yards...

Those teams had a lot of talent. NFL players on both sides of the ball