If there was a constant theme to Rayfield Wright's career, it's that things didn't always end as they started.

An accomplished basketball player in high school, Wright accepted a full scholarship to Fort Valley State, only to find out that he was required to also play football, a sport he knew nothing about. Obviously, that transition worked out well enough for him to get drafted in the seventh round by the Cowboys in 1967, although he started off as a tight end and even played some on the defensive line.

But once the Cowboys finally figured out that Wright would be better suited as an offensive tackle, it opened the door for what became an illustrious career.

The original "Big Cat," Wright was thrown to the wolves in his first NFL start at the position, when he replaced an injured Ralph Neely for a game on Nov. 23, 1969 against the Los Angeles Rams, who featured future Hall of Famer Deacon Jones at defensive end. Wright didn't just his hold his own that day, he nearly shut down one of the more dominating pass-rushers in league history. Head coach Tom Landry gave Wright a game ball for his effort, a rarity for an offensive lineman even in today's NFL.

But Landry wasn't the only one who dished out praise to Wright. Soon after, the entire league took notice as he made six straight Pro Bowls from 1971-76, the second most in team history for an offensive tackle, as well as four All-Pro selections in that span. Wright was also named to the All-Decade Team for the 1970s before eventually retiring in 1980.

The accolades didn't stop completely. Although the recognition took nearly 25 years, Wright was finally inducted into the Cowboys Ring of Honor in 2004, becoming the first lineman in franchise history to receive the prestigious honor. Two years later, he was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.