MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE 2025 Regular Session To: Rules By: Representatives Kinkade, Keen House Resolution 104 (As Adopted by House) A RESOLUTION COMMENDING FORMER SUPER BOWL CHAMPION K.J. WRIGHT ON HIS OUTSTANDING PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL CAREER AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST GRATITUDE FOR HIS ONGOING GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CITY OF OLIVE BRANCH. WHEREAS, K.J. Wright, a retired professional NFL player whose phenomenal career culminating in a Super Bowl win began years ago as a youngster playing in the Olive Branch youth football program, is loyally returning to his beloved hometown again in 2025 to reignite a once heated rivalry when alumni from Olive Branch and Byhalia High Schools face off in the fourth annual Wright Way Foundation Alumni Charity Basketball Game; and WHEREAS, after graduating from Olive Branch High School in 2007 as a three sport standout in basketball, football and track, the 6'4" K.J., fondly remembered as "the Elevator" on the hardwood, attended Mississippi State University on a full football scholarship before being recruited as a linebacker by the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth round of the 2011 NFL draft; and WHEREAS, despite having earned a Super Bowl ring as the starting linebacker for the Seahawks in 2014, a second trip to the Super Bowl in 2015, and a 2016 Pro Bowl invitation, K.J. Wright's 11 outstanding years as a pro never caused him to forget who he is or where he came from, as K.J. humbly attributes his remarkable accomplishments to his family, coaches and the Olive Branch community, all of whom raised and groomed him into the successful man he has been on the gridiron and beyond; and WHEREAS, since retiring from the Seahawks before the start of the 2022 season, K.J., now the defensive quality control coach for the San Francisco 49ers, has devoted his attention to his true passion -- being a positive example to the next generation -- through his Wright Way Foundation, an organization focused on providing underserved student-athletes in Seattle and Olive Branch with a solid foundation through education, particularly regarding financial literacy, mentoring and scholarships; and WHEREAS, over the years, K.J. has frequently come home to the city "where my heart is" to annually host local charity events benefitting students and local organizations mentoring youth, and through his leadership, the Wright Way Foundation has donated more than $50,000 to Olive Branch High School and $15,000 to Holly Springs High School; and WHEREAS, in addition, K.J. has generously given his financial support to his alma mater in ways personally meaningful to the students and faculty, having donated over $5,000 to purchase state championship rings for the Quistors following the boys basketball team's 2018 title win and $10,000 to remodel the Olive Branch High's teacher lounge in 2021; and WHEREAS, K.J.'s generosity in his hometown extends far beyond his financial gifts, as he regularly returns to Olive Branch for face-to-face mentoring with student-athletes through motivational speaking and sporting camps, always using the inspiring popular events as an opportunity to model successful living and impress upon youth the important role financial literacy can play in one's success; and WHEREAS, to help further the ongoing physical, mental and moral development of young men in Olive Branch, this year, K.J. formed the Wright Way Foundation Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) boys basketball team, offering student-athletes not only a way to improve their game but just as importantly, lessons in learning, life and social responsibility; and WHEREAS, while K.J. resides in Seattle with his wife, Nathalie, and three children, K.J. has truly lived out his conviction that it is important to give back to the community that raised him and to teach today's youth of Olive Branch life skills that could last them a lifetime; and WHEREAS, with hearts filled with gratitude for all that K.J. Wright has done to better countless individuals' lives and the very community where the road to fame and success all began for him, the townsfolk of Olive Branch proudly claim him as their native son and always look forward with excitement to his coming home; and WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and celebrate the terrific accomplishments of native Mississippians such as K.J. Wright, whose fame as a professional athlete, paralleled only by his selfless generosity aimed at improving the lives of others, is a source of great pride and honor to the City of Olive Branch and the entire State of Mississippi: NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend former Super Bowl champion K.J. Wright on his outstanding professional football career, extend our deepest gratitude for his ongoing generous contributions to the City of Olive Branch, and wish him continued success in all his future endeavors. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to K.J. Wright and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2025 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representatives Kinkade, Keen
# House Resolution 104
## (As Adopted by House)
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING FORMER SUPER BOWL CHAMPION K.J. WRIGHT ON HIS OUTSTANDING PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL CAREER AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST GRATITUDE FOR HIS ONGOING GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CITY OF OLIVE BRANCH.
WHEREAS, K.J. Wright, a retired professional NFL player whose phenomenal career culminating in a Super Bowl win began years ago as a youngster playing in the Olive Branch youth football program, is loyally returning to his beloved hometown again in 2025 to reignite a once heated rivalry when alumni from Olive Branch and Byhalia High Schools face off in the fourth annual Wright Way Foundation Alumni Charity Basketball Game; and
WHEREAS, after graduating from Olive Branch High School in 2007 as a three sport standout in basketball, football and track, the 6'4" K.J., fondly remembered as "the Elevator" on the hardwood, attended Mississippi State University on a full football scholarship before being recruited as a linebacker by the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth round of the 2011 NFL draft; and
WHEREAS, despite having earned a Super Bowl ring as the starting linebacker for the Seahawks in 2014, a second trip to the Super Bowl in 2015, and a 2016 Pro Bowl invitation, K.J. Wright's 11 outstanding years as a pro never caused him to forget who he is or where he came from, as K.J. humbly attributes his remarkable accomplishments to his family, coaches and the Olive Branch community, all of whom raised and groomed him into the successful man he has been on the gridiron and beyond; and
WHEREAS, since retiring from the Seahawks before the start of the 2022 season, K.J., now the defensive quality control coach for the San Francisco 49ers, has devoted his attention to his true passion -- being a positive example to the next generation -- through his Wright Way Foundation, an organization focused on providing underserved student-athletes in Seattle and Olive Branch with a solid foundation through education, particularly regarding financial literacy, mentoring and scholarships; and
WHEREAS, over the years, K.J. has frequently come home to the city "where my heart is" to annually host local charity events benefitting students and local organizations mentoring youth, and through his leadership, the Wright Way Foundation has donated more than $50,000 to Olive Branch High School and $15,000 to Holly Springs High School; and
WHEREAS, in addition, K.J. has generously given his financial support to his alma mater in ways personally meaningful to the students and faculty, having donated over $5,000 to purchase state championship rings for the Quistors following the boys basketball team's 2018 title win and $10,000 to remodel the Olive Branch High's teacher lounge in 2021; and
WHEREAS, K.J.'s generosity in his hometown extends far beyond his financial gifts, as he regularly returns to Olive Branch for face-to-face mentoring with student-athletes through motivational speaking and sporting camps, always using the inspiring popular events as an opportunity to model successful living and impress upon youth the important role financial literacy can play in one's success; and
WHEREAS, to help further the ongoing physical, mental and moral development of young men in Olive Branch, this year, K.J. formed the Wright Way Foundation Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) boys basketball team, offering student-athletes not only a way to improve their game but just as importantly, lessons in learning, life and social responsibility; and
WHEREAS, while K.J. resides in Seattle with his wife, Nathalie, and three children, K.J. has truly lived out his conviction that it is important to give back to the community that raised him and to teach today's youth of Olive Branch life skills that could last them a lifetime; and
WHEREAS, with hearts filled with gratitude for all that K.J. Wright has done to better countless individuals' lives and the very community where the road to fame and success all began for him, the townsfolk of Olive Branch proudly claim him as their native son and always look forward with excitement to his coming home; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and celebrate the terrific accomplishments of native Mississippians such as K.J. Wright, whose fame as a professional athlete, paralleled only by his selfless generosity aimed at improving the lives of others, is a source of great pride and honor to the City of Olive Branch and the entire State of Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend former Super Bowl champion K.J. Wright on his outstanding professional football career, extend our deepest gratitude for his ongoing generous contributions to the City of Olive Branch, and wish him continued success in all his future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to K.J. Wright and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.