One email arrived in 2019, and suddenly, Ceyair Wright’s world looked a little different. It was an audition call for the role of LeBron James’ older son in ‘Space Jam 2’. What followed were several rounds of auditions, each one bringing him closer to a part that could change his life. Eventually, the role was his. And on set, Wright found an easy chemistry with Cedric Joe, who played his younger brother.

The movie may not have lived up to expectations, earning mixed reviews and ultimately being considered a failure, but Wright didn’t let that become the end of his story. He kept pursuing acting opportunities while also playing college football. Even after going undrafted in the NFL, another door opened when the Cincinnati Bengals signed him as an undrafted free agent in May. Now, just when football seemed to be giving him another chance, Wright has chosen a different path again.

“Bengals announce rookie CB Ceyair Wright has left the team to pursue other opportunities,” The Athletic’s Paul Dehner Jr. reported on X. “Remember, Wright previously had an acting career and was LeBron James’ son in Space Jam [A New Legacy].”

Cincinnati placed Wright on the Exempt/Left Squad list. That means he does not count against the Bengals’ 90-man roster while he is away.

KPRC 2 Houston’s Aaron Wilson explained the reason behind this pivot. Wright was offered a lead role in a major film production, which is expected to wrap up filming in late October.

That said, Wilson made clear this isn’t a retirement; Wright is not giving up football and will remain available to return once filming ends.

Plus, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor revealed during Saturday’s press conference that Wright had informed the team of his decision to leave. It wasn’t a choice Wright made lightly, either. As Taylor put it, it was “a difficult decision for him.”

“I think two things he’s really passionate about were colliding, and he decided to pursue this opportunity,” Taylor mentioned.

In fact, before the 2026 draft, Wright mentioned how he’d love to juggle both passions.

“When it comes to acting, who knows how that stuff will work? One day, if it makes sense, I can look into it, or down the line after I’m done playing.”

Further, the timing of Wright’s decision matters. There was never any guarantee the Bengals would keep him beyond August 30, when the team is set to cut 37 players. We may never know whether Wright saw the writing on the wall, but in the end, stepping away could have worked in his favor.

Ceyair Wright’s Hollywood career actually predates his football career by years. The Los Angeles native began modeling at age 5 and started doing commercials by 9, according to the Los Angeles Times. This was long before football took him to USC as a four-star recruit out of Loyola High School.

His acting credits stretch beyond ‘Space Jam’ too, including roles in ‘Training Day,’ ‘2 Broke Girls,’ and ‘Grown-ish.’

No wonder King James himself praised his on-screen son for balancing both worlds.

“I think more important than anything, he’s just a great kid,” James said after a Lakers-Grizzlies game in 2021. “Being on set with him and having great conversations about not only acting but also family and sports and things of that nature.

“And then to see him do the things that he’s been doing in the acting world as well, he’s more than an athlete or more than an actor.”

He signed with Cincinnati as an undrafted free agent following this year’s draft. He got his first taste of the NFL in the preseason clash vs the Lions, logging 38 defensive snaps and four special teams snaps in Cincinnati’s 16-14 win over Detroit.

Ceyair Wright’s college football career

Wright spent his first three college seasons at USC before transferring to Nebraska for his final two years. He came to Cincinnati with 109 total tackles, three interceptions and 16 passes defended. He also earned an All-Big Ten honorable mention in 2025.

That said, Cincinnati also acted quickly with Ceyair Wright’s exit. The team filled the opening by signing Matthew McDoom, who originally signed with Baltimore in May before being waived earlier this month. McDoom played at Coastal Carolina before transferring to Cincinnati for the 2025 season. Per Fox 19, he was known as the fastest player on the Bearcats’ roster.

For Wright, though, the football story is not necessarily over. He is stepping away from the Bengals at an unusual point in his rookie season and hopes to continue his football career. And when he chooses to return, the Bengals will still hold his rights.