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Cincinnati Bengals rookie from LeBron James movie leaves NFL for acting
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- Cincinnati Bengals rookie from LeBron James movie leaves NFL for acting
Cincinnati Bengals rookie Ceyair Wright is giving up a rare NFL opportunity to chase another dream ahead of the 2026 season.
The undrafted college football cornerback isn't a stranger to Hollywood after appearing in several films. That includes a prominent role alongside NBA legend LeBron James in "Space Jam: A New Legacy."
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However, Wright is fully prepared to choose acting over the NFL after opting to leave the Bengals this week. The 23-year-old defensive player spent recent weeks with Cincinnati in training camp and the team's first preseason game.
The former USC Trojans and Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive standout grew up in Los Angeles . That's why his connections to Hollywood continue to run deep after he began his acting career as a youth.
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Rookie leaves NFL for acting gig?
NCAA Football: Pinstripe Bowl-Boston College at Nebraska
Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive back Ceyair Wright (15) celebrates a defensive stop during the second half against the Boston College Eagles at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images Credit: USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
It's clear that Wright has positioned himself well as an actor after landing the role as Darius James in the "Space Jam" sequel. He played the son of the all-time NBA great back in 2021 when he was just 18 years old.
Wight's continued pursuit of acting simply comes down to the commitment that it takes to succeed. Bengals head coach Zac Taylor acknowledged the difficult choice that he needed to make after Cincinnati's win over the Detroit Lions on Aug. 13.
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"Two things he's really passionate about were colliding, and he decided to pursue this opportunity," Taylor said after the Bengals' preseason opener . "We wish him the best. He was fun to be around; he really competed hard for us. It was fun watching him play. I thought he was ascending as a player, but obviously he's chosen to go a different path."
Wright finished tied for third on the Bengals with two tackles during the preseason game. However, that performance isn't enough to keep him around the locker room.
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The young acting star has appeared in seven different roles, including a recurring role on ABC's "Grown-ish." It remains to be seen what his next film project is after abruptly leaving his NFL team.
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