MINNEAPOLIS — On Sunday, with a heavy heart after the passing of his former college coach, Bears cornerback Nahshon Wright made a significant impact in Chicago’s narrow 19-17 victory over Minnesota. Wright, who secured his fourth interception of the season, expressed that the late John Beam, his mentor and friend, was with him in spirit during the game.
John Beam, a renowned football coach at Laney College and a prominent figure on the Netflix series “Last Chance U,” tragically passed away after being shot on November 13 at the Oakland, California, campus where he worked. Authorities have apprehended a suspect who allegedly knew and targeted Beam.
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Wright, who played under Beam in 2018 during his time at junior college before transferring to Oregon State, learned of his mentor’s death from a former coach on Friday. This came as a shock, as the two had spoken just days before the incident.
“He was watching over me,” Wright reflected after the game. “It’s surreal. He called me the night before he passed and mentioned that every game he saw, I’d manage to snag an interception. I knew he was supporting me today.”
Wright’s pivotal interception, his second against his former team, came as he and Vikings receiver Jordan Addison crossed into the end zone. This key play thwarted Minnesota’s attempt to score a touchdown before halftime, reducing their deficit to just one point. Standing at 6-foot-5, Wright capitalized on his height advantage over the 6-inch shorter Addison, leaping to intercept the ball and contribute to Chicago’s 22nd takeaway of the season.
“That was a crucial moment for us right before halftime,” remarked Bears coach Ben Johnson. “With Minnesota in scoring range, Nahshon’s interception was vital. He served as our game captain this week and it held special meaning for him, facing his former team. His length allows him to disrupt plays or secure interceptions, and we certainly needed that play today.”
After coming down with the football, Wright dropped to one knee in the back of the end zone and lowered his head. He was surrounded by teammates who hugged and helped him to his feet as he was overcome with emotion. Wright said he plans to give the interception ball to Beam’s family.
Wright fought back tears as he described his relationship with Beam following the game. When Wright’s father was shot and killed in 2017, Beam “stepped in as a father figure” for Wright and his brother, Rejzohn, who is a cornerback for the New Orleans Saints.
“He meant the world to me,” Wright said. “When my dad was killed, he came to my house and got me out of the bed. He was someone I could confide in, someone that I just love dearly. We talk once a week, easily.
“He did a lot for me and my brother and my family. He been there. He’s been there every step of the way, and it won’t stop. I gained an angel.”
Wright last saw Beam, who was serving as the Laney athletic director after retiring from coaching in 2024, when the Bears hosted the Saints in Week 7. The night before the game, the two walked up and down Chicago’s Magnificent Mile so Beam could “get his steps in” and talked about life and Wright’s plans for the future.
The night before Beam was killed, he called Wright to rib him about an interview he did where current Laney football coach Josh Ramos was credited with moving Wright from receiver to cornerback.
“He called me and was like, ‘No, I’m the one who did that,’” Wright said. “So we laughed about that, and I was just glad I got to talk to him one last time.”
The significance of Wright’s play against the team that released him in April (the Bears signed him one day later) was not lost on his teammates.
“I’m super happy for him,” Bears safety Kevin Byard III said. “I know he’s been through a lot this week. …. He was playing with a heavy heart today, so I just told him how much I was proud of him and it’s just a special moment to be able to get an interception.”
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