Bears Cornerback Nahshon Wright Honors Late Coach John Beam With Game-Saving Interception.
Cornerback Nahshon Wright took to the field on Sunday, driven by more than just his passion for football. The 6'4" corner, who played under late coach John Beam at Laney College in Oakland, California, had just received some devastating news - Beam was shot and killed on campus earlier that week.
In a moment of grief, Wright dedicated himself to doing something meaningful in honor of the man who had shaped his life both on and off the field. Coach Beam wasn't just about football; he was like a mentor, teaching Wright about life's bigger picture over countless hours spent walking along Chicago's Magnificent Mile.
That same sense of determination helped Wright make an incredible play during Sunday's game against the Vikings. With 42 seconds left in the first half, quarterback JJ McCarthy dropped back and fired into the end zone, looking for wide receiver Jordan Addison to make a big catch. Instead, it was Wright who hauled in the interception, securing the ball with ease.
The Bears improved their record to 7-3, thanks in part to Wright's incredible playmaking ability. His teammates celebrated the win by taking a knee in prayer on the field before returning to the sideline for emotional hugs and congratulations from coaches, including defensive backs coach Al Harris.
Wright's thoughts were still with Beam that day, though. The cornerback told reporters he was proud of himself after making the interception but also revealed that Harris kept calling him hourly Thursday and Friday to check in after Beam's shooting, which left Wright feeling "down" and struggling to cope.
While it may seem like just another game to some fans, for Nahshon Wright, this victory will always be more than that. It was a testament to his own resilience and the lessons he learned from Coach John Beam – both on and off the field.
Cornerback Nahshon Wright took to the field on Sunday, driven by more than just his passion for football. The 6'4" corner, who played under late coach John Beam at Laney College in Oakland, California, had just received some devastating news - Beam was shot and killed on campus earlier that week.
In a moment of grief, Wright dedicated himself to doing something meaningful in honor of the man who had shaped his life both on and off the field. Coach Beam wasn't just about football; he was like a mentor, teaching Wright about life's bigger picture over countless hours spent walking along Chicago's Magnificent Mile.
That same sense of determination helped Wright make an incredible play during Sunday's game against the Vikings. With 42 seconds left in the first half, quarterback JJ McCarthy dropped back and fired into the end zone, looking for wide receiver Jordan Addison to make a big catch. Instead, it was Wright who hauled in the interception, securing the ball with ease.
The Bears improved their record to 7-3, thanks in part to Wright's incredible playmaking ability. His teammates celebrated the win by taking a knee in prayer on the field before returning to the sideline for emotional hugs and congratulations from coaches, including defensive backs coach Al Harris.
Wright's thoughts were still with Beam that day, though. The cornerback told reporters he was proud of himself after making the interception but also revealed that Harris kept calling him hourly Thursday and Friday to check in after Beam's shooting, which left Wright feeling "down" and struggling to cope.
While it may seem like just another game to some fans, for Nahshon Wright, this victory will always be more than that. It was a testament to his own resilience and the lessons he learned from Coach John Beam – both on and off the field.
That's so cool to hear about Nahshon Wright making a game-saving interception in honor of his late coach John Beam 
. I mean, it's clear that Coach Beam meant a lot to him, not just as a mentor but also as a person 
. It's amazing how one man can leave such a huge impact on someone's life.
. It's pretty inspiring to see someone use their passion and grief to drive them forward in a meaningful way.
. That kind of support means everything to someone going through a tough time.
.
... it's just devastating to lose someone like that, especially when you know they're gonna be missed in such a big way by those who loved 'em. Nahshon Wright was lucky to have him in his life, and now he's carrying on his legacy in the best way possible – with heart, determination, and an amazing display of football skills 
. It's not just about the interception; it's about the person behind it all... I hope Wright finds some peace and closure soon, but in the meantime, this win is definitely a reminder that we're stronger than our struggles 
His coach may not be there in body, but he's still with him through the lessons they shared, teaching us that we're stronger than our pain 
I'm so moved by Wright's story. It's clear how much of an impact Coach John Beam had on him, not just as a coach but as a mentor & role model. 
Nahshon Wright's play on Sunday was wild, but it sounds like Coach Beam's legacy lives on in his heart, and for that, we should be rootin' for Wright even harder