Indianapolis Colts select South Bend Riley student to represent team at NFL Draft

SOUTH BEND — Kayla Wright thought it was just a meeting she had to attend. She didn’t even question why she was asked to wear her flag football uniform, sitting in an auditorium with the rest of her teammates and fellow classmates.

She quickly found out they were all there for her.

The South Bend Riley High School junior was surprised Thursday with a gift from the Indianapolis Colts. Wright has been invited to attend the NFL Draft from April 25-27 in Detroit and be part of the Colts’ “Inner Circle” of people at the draft backstage. Hotel and a daily per diem for her and family members will be covered by the Colts.

Wright will also be part of the draft experience, as she will present the Colts’ jersey to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, who will subsequently hand it to the team’s first-round pick. The Colts are slated to pick 15th.

“I was very surprised,” Wright said. “I feel very excited and motivated to continue what I’m doing. I’ve just been trying to stay on track, improving myself.”

Wright received the honor because of how she’s turned her life around.

As a freshman, Wright struggled in school, barely going to class. Riley Athletics Director Seabe Gavin kept challenging Wright to turn things around, even offering her to become the school’s football team manager.

“My freshman year was very hard for me with COVID and stuff; it was hard trying to get my work in,” Wright said. “I just wasn’t motivated.”

Others tried to help as well, including the school’s Dean of Students, Yul Thomas Jr. Eventually, in the spring of 2023, Wright reached out to those trying to help and decided to make a change in her life.

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“Kayla approached me and the head coach of the boys soccer team here at Riley, Mr. (John) Boye,” said Thomas in a statement. “She expressed how she wanted to change and improve her grades and overall performance. We both appreciated Kayla initiating this, as we want nothing but the best for our students.”

Wright has turned her academic life around and her lowest grade last semester was an 80%. Everything else was an "A" with the goal of having nothing but "A’s" by the time she graduates. After high school, Wright wants to go to college and become a police detective.

One of the outlets that has allowed Wright to excel is flag football. This was the first year of the sport at Riley, one of eight schools across Indiana to play in the inaugural state tournament sponsored by the Indianapolis Colts. Adams and Washington high schools from South Bend were also part of the field.

Wright was named one of the captains of the Riley team. She was also named the Mental Attitude Award winner by the Colts at the conclusion of the state finals.

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“She did a whole turnaround,” Riley flag football coach Danelle Six said. “I couldn’t get her to go to class, couldn’t get her to do certain things. She would talk back to you. It’s all flipped now. She’s going to class, her grades are amazing. She really deserves this.

“It’s very rewarding. It brought tears to my eyes. This is the second time I’ve cried (about this) now.”

Members of the Riley boys football team, school administration and Wright’s family members were in attendance for the reveal Thursday. The presentation started with Gavin talking about the history of the Colts before showing a video from Colts assistant coach Isabel Diaz, who informed Wright of the news.

“It feels great,” Wright said. “It feels like I’m doing something with my life.”

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: South Bend Riley junior to help with Indianapolis Colts NFL Draft pick