Chicago Bears cornerback Nahshon Wright took the field with a heavy heart Sunday. Wright's former coach, Laney College's John Beam, was shot on campus Thursday and died from his injuries Friday. He was 66.
With the Minnesota Vikings driving in the second quarter, Wright made one of the best plays of the day. Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy tried to hit Jordan Addison in the end zone on a 30-yard pass. Wright played the ball perfectly, and then launched his 6-foot-4 frame into the air to highpoint the ball for an interception.
After making the play, Wright took a knee in the end zone and appeared to get emotional on the field. He was surrounded by a few teammates during the moment.
After the contest, Wright spoke about Beam's impact on his life.
"He meant the world to me. When my dad was killed, he came to my house and got me out the bed," Wright said. "(He was) someone I could confide in, someone that I just, I love dearly. We talked once a week, easily. Really at a loss for words."
Wright spent one year under Beam at Laney, a community college in Oakland. Wright helped the team win the California Community College Athletic Association state championship in 2018 before transferring to Oregon State, where he spent the rest of his college career.
Wright said that his father was killed in 2017, around his time at Laney.
"Beam stepped in as a father figure," he said. "He did a lot for me and my brother, my family. He's been there every step of the way."
Wright's performance at both schools was enough to get him selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He spent his first three NFL seasons with the Cowboys before being traded to the Vikings ahead of the 2024 NFL season.
He lasted just one season with the team. The Vikings cut Wright in April, paving the way for him to join the Bears. While Wright wasn't signed to be a starter, various injuries to the Bears' secondary pushed him into a starting role.
He's rewarded the team with a few key turnovers. In addition to Sunday's interception, Wright also returned an interception for a touchdown against the Vikings in Week 1, recovered a fumble to help Chicago beat the Washington Commanders in Week 6 and intercepted a Joe Flacco pass to stop a Cincinnati Bengals comeback in Week 9.
Beam became a well-known name after starring in "Last Chance U," a Netflix documentary that focused on college football players trying to establish themselves. Laney College was featured on the show in 2020. While Wright didn't make an appearance on the show, his younger brother Rejzohn was shown on it.
Beam coached Laney from 2012 to 2024 before stepping down. He was serving as the school's athletic director prior to his death Friday.
Police arrested one suspect, 27-year-old Cedric Irving Jr., Friday in connection with Beam's shooting.