Green Bay — Steve Wright had no choice but to say no to the Green Bay Packers and New York Jets before the 1964 Sugar Bowl.
The University of Alabama backup offensive and defensive lineman knew who he wanted to play with on the professional level, but he had to delay signing a contract until after his final collegiate game.
The 6-foot-6, 250-pound lineman with the intriguing, untapped potential was drafted in the fifth round (69th overall) of the NFL draft by Green Bay on Dec. 2, 1963.
The Jets had also selected Wright in the eighth round (59th overall) of the AFL draft, and the bidding war for his talent was on.