Senate Resolution 3

A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND CONGRATULATING OLIVE BRANCH AND MSU LINEBACKER K.J. WRIGHT FOR HIS EXCEPTIONAL PLAY IN THE SEATTLE SEAHAWKS SUPER BOWL VICTORY ON FEBRUARY 2, 2014, ON THE OCCASION OF "K.J. WRIGHT DAY."

WHEREAS, Olive Branch and the State of Mississippi is very proud of K.J. Wright, No. 50 of the Seattle Seahawks, for his outstanding play in Super Bowl XLVIII, making seven tackles; and

WHEREAS, K.J. Wright attended Olive Branch High School. He was named First-Team, All-State on the defensive line by The Clarion-Ledger. He recorded 91 total tackles during his senior season in which 48 of them were solo tackles. He was listed as the No. 19 prospect in Mississippi following his senior season according to Rivals.com. He was awarded with his performance with top scholarship offers from Auburn, Arkansas, Ole Miss and South Carolina. He committed to Mississippi State during his senior year of high school; and

WHEREAS, he was selected to play in the Mississippi/Alabama All-Star Classic, listed as the No. 19 prospect in the state following his senior season by Rivals.com, the second-best outside linebacker in their ranking, and rated the No. 22 prospect in the State of Mississippi by SuperPrep Recruiting Magazine. He moved to 21st in that publication's season-ending All-America issue and was ranked among the top 25 players in the State of Mississippi by The Clarion-Ledger. K.J. was named First-Team, All-State on the defensive line by The Clarion-Ledger in all classifications following his senior season for Head Coach Scott Samsel at Olive Branch High School. He also earned First-Team, All-State by the Mississippi Association of Coaches for outside linebacker in Class 5A. K.J. made 91 tackles during that senior season for the Conquistadors, including 48 solos, recorded 13 quarterback sacks and a pass interception as well, and helped Olive Branch to a 12-2 overall record as a senior. K.J. was also a standout for an undefeated basketball team as a senior and a solid student in the classroom on the prep level. He committed to MSU in December 2006; and

WHEREAS, K.J. Wright was an outstanding player for Mississippi State during his college career. He held onto the No. 34 while playing for Mississippi State and played the linebacker position. During his sophomore season, he was promoted as a starter on the defensive unit as an outside linebacker; and

WHEREAS, Wright was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth round of the 2011 NFL draft. He started to see playing time behind Aaron Curry. Wright became a playmaker in the second half of the season as a middle linebacker. The comparison of Aaron Curry and Wright were pointed out by Brock Huard during his "Chalk Talk" segment; and

WHEREAS, the Seattle Seahawks found that the only generosity Olive Branch native K.J. Wright provided on Super Bowl Sunday was the number of hits he put on Peyton Manning and the rest of the Denver Broncos' offense, when the teams met for the National Football League Championship in East Rutherford, N.J. While the former Olive Branch Conquistador and Mississippi State Bulldog patrolled the Seahawks' defense that day, his favorite supporters watched in person at MetLife Stadium, as parents Kenny and Jacqueline Wright, his family and friends saw him fulfill a football dream come true:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we hereby recognize and congratulate Olive Branch and MSU Linebacker K.J. Wright for his exceptional play in the Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl victory on February 2, 2014, on the occasion of "K.J. Wright Day," and join the citizens of Olive Branch in this celebration.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to K.J. Wright and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.