Cincinnati Bengals rookie from LeBron James movie leaves NFL for acting

Cincinnati Bengals rookie Ceyair Wright is giving up a rare NFL opportunity in order to chase another dream ahead of the 2026 season. The former undrafted college football cornerback isn’t a stranger to Hollywood after appearing in several films. That includes a prominent role alongside NBA legend LeBron James in the remake of “Space Jam: A New Legacy.” MORE: Breece Hall injury update from Jets details recovery timeline, Week 1 status However, Wright’s fully prepared to choose acting over the NFL after opting to leave the Bengals this week. The 23-year-old defensive player has spent recent weeks with Cincinnati throughout training camp and the team’s first preseason game. Although, it seems that the former USC Trojans and Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive standout grew up in Los Angeles. That’s why his connections to Hollywood continue to run deep after beginning his acting career as a youth. MORE: Roger Goodell has ‘no doubt’ there will be NFL teams outside the United States Rookie leaves NFL for acting gig? Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive back Ceyair Wright (15) celebrates a defensive stop during the second half against the Boston College Eagles at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images Credit: USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect (Reuters) It’s clear that Wright’s positioned himself well as an actor after landing the role as Darius James in the “Space Jam” reboot. He played the son of the all-time NBA great back in 2021 when he was just 18 years old. Wight’s continued pursuit of acting simply comes down to the commitment that it takes to succeed. Bengals head coach Zac Taylor acknowledged the difficult choice that he needed to make after Cincinnati’s win over the Detroit Lions on Aug. 13. “Two things he’s really passionate about were colliding, and he decided to pursue this opportunity,” Taylor said after the Bengals’ preseason opener. “We wish him the best. He was fun to be around, he really competed hard for us. It was fun watching him play. I thought he was ascending as a player, but obviously he’s chosen to go a different path.” Wright finished tied for third on the Bengals with two tackles during the Lions game. However, that performance isn’t enough to keep him around the locker room for the rest of preseason. MORE: 11 NFL teams with longest division title droughts entering 2026 season The young acting star has appeared in seven different roles, including a feature on ABC’s “Grown-ish.” It remains to be seen what his next film project is after abruptly leaving his NFL team. — Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter —