Cincinnati Bengals rookie cornerback Ceyair Wright has temporarily departed the team's training camp to pursue a lead role in a film production, the team announced. Wright has been placed on the Exempt/Left Squad List.
Coach Zac Taylor confirmed that Wright's decision stemmed from the convergence of two passions. "I think two things he's really passionate about were colliding, and he decided to pursue this opportunity," Taylor told reporters. "We wish him the best. He was fun to be around, he really competed hard for us. It was fun watching him play. But obviously he's chosen to go a different path."
Wright, an undrafted free agent who played college football at USC, has prior acting experience, including a role in "Space Jam: A New Legacy," where he portrayed the older son of LeBron James's character. While discussing his NFL prospects before the draft, Wright had indicated that acting might remain a part of his life, stating, "When it comes to acting, who knows how that stuff will work? One day, if it makes sense, I can look into it, or down the line after I'm done playing."
The filming for the current movie is expected to conclude in late October, making Wright available to play at that time. However, given that Wright was competing as an undrafted free agent to make the Bengals' roster, his long-term role with the team remains uncertain following this decision.