Cincinnati Bengals rookie cornerback Ceyair Wright, who acted in "Space Jam" alongside LeBron James, is putting his NFL dreams on hold to pursue another acting opportunity
Ceyair Wright
Ceyair Wright is putting his NFL dream on hold(Image: Getty Images)
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Cincinnati Bengals defensive back Ceyair Wright is stepping away from the team after he was offered a lead role in a new movie. Filming is set to start shortly and will continue until late October.
Wright, 23, was an undrafted free-agent signing out Nebraska, where he earned honorable-mention All-Big Ten honors in 2025. He played 34 snaps for the Bengals in Thursday's preseason opener against the Detroit Lions. The Bengals already lost a young defensive stud to injury during training camp.
Wright is no acting rookie: he played Darius James, the oldest son of star LeBron James, in "Space Jam: A New Legacy." Now, he'll put his NFL dream on pause to garner another major one.
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“Two things he’s really passionate about were colliding," Bengals coach Zach Taylor said of Wright's move. “And he decided to pursue this opportunity.”
Wright was a child model and appeared in a variety of roles, highlighted by a recurring role on ABC's 'Grown-ish." He has further credits in "2 Broke Girls," "Training Day," and other television shows.
Wright told the LA Times that he didn't meet James until filming started, but quickly got to know the NBA star on set. “He is a great person,” Wright said last year.
“Before I met him and built a relationship, I would see people talking badly, and I didn’t pay attention. Now that I know the type of person he is, I take offense. I can’t fathom people talking badly about him. He’s extremely down to earth, caring, and nice. I’m ready to defend him.”
Ceyair Wright
Ceyair Wright (second from L) with LeBron James at the Space Jam premier (Image: Getty Images)
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Wright managed to act while playing college football first at USC (2021-2023) before transferring to Nebraska (2024-2025). He logged a team-high five pass breakups in 2025.
As an undrafted rookie, he was no lock to make the Bengals roster. Wright will be replaced on the team, for now, by Matthew McDoom, a local kid from the University of Cincinnati.
The Bengals depth chart currently sees 2023 second-round pick DJ Turner II and 2022 first-rounder pick Dax Hill, who has underwhelmed in his short career, as starters at cornerback. Jalen Davis is the slot starter.
At deep safety, free agent signing Bryan Cook (Kansas City Chiefs) will line up next to box safety Kordan Battle. Former New England Patriots star Kyle Dugger features as part of the depth.
Cincinnati made a big swing up front, trading the 10th pick in the 2026 NFL draft to the New EYork Giants for perennial Pro Bowler Dexter Lawrence.