New Mexico State football is currently facing scrutiny due to disturbing social media posts linked to their offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, Tyler Wright.
Recent reports revealed that Wright’s social media history includes over 150 offensive remarks directed at various groups, including African Americans, women, and the LGBTQ+ community. These posts date back to his college years at Tarleton State, showcasing a troubling pattern of derogatory language that has raised serious concerns about his role within the Aggies’ coaching staff.
As the investigation into Wright’s social media activity unfolds, New Mexico State’s leadership has decided that he will “not be with the team” during this period. Wright, now in his third season with the Aggies, is responsible for guiding an offense that has faced challenges this season.
This situation has sparked debates about accountability in college sports and how past behaviors may impact current programs. His promotion to offensive coordinator reflects a rise in his coaching career, but now questions arise about the alignment of his conduct with the values of New Mexico State University, which emphasizes equity and inclusion in its mission.
Comments Regarding Joseph Kony and Issues Related to African People
From 2012 to 2014, Tyler Wright made over 60 posts relating to Joseph Kony, with a significant number shared in just two days around March 7-8, 2012. This timing coincided with the release of the “Kony 2012” documentary, which raised global awareness of Kony’s actions.
Joseph Kony is the leader of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), an organization formed in 1987 that has been labeled a terrorist group by both the United Nations and the U.S. State Department. He is notorious for kidnapping children to use as soldiers and for sexual exploitation. The LRA’s actions reportedly led to the displacement of approximately two million individuals between 1986 and 2009.
Wright’s posts included both alarming and insensitive commentary regarding Kony’s actions. Some comments trivialized Kony’s crimes, employing racial stereotypes in an inappropriate manner. For example, he suggested that Kony should take on a coaching role, citing how Kony had people following his orders, likening it to managing athletes.
Moreover, Wright referred to Kony in terms that seemed to celebrate his notoriety. He called Kony the “most influential person of the last 20 years,” and referred to him as “Mr. Population Control,” reflecting a disturbing admiration for Kony’s impact. He made light of the violence inflicted on African communities, stating that Kony was “knocking Africans down like bowling pins,” which showed a blatant disregard for the gravity of the situation.
In a notable shift, Wright shared two posts during the protests that followed George Floyd’s death in 2020. On May 26, he remarked on the importance of treating all humans with respect, regardless of race. He later participated in Blackout Tuesday, indicating a potential change in his perspective on race and social justice.
Comments About Hispanics
Tyler Wright has made multiple derogatory comments regarding Hispanics and Latinos. In a post from May 2012, he labeled himself the “Whitest Mexican,” reflecting a dismissive attitude.
Additionally, in December 2011, he shared two posts that contained offensive racial stereotypes. He used an expletive to express frustration about having to teach Hispanics English and referred to them watching explicit content during breaks as “classic.” In April 2012, he again targeted Hispanics with a remark stating they looked “oiled up and dark!” During a December 2013 post, he referred to a gathering of Mexican individuals as a “Comanche town hall meeting.”
It’s important to note that as of the 2020 Census, 60.33% of Las Cruces’ population identifies as Hispanic or Latino, highlighting the community’s significance in the region.
Posts Featuring Homophobic Language and Disparaging Remarks Toward LGBTQ+ Individuals
Tyler Wright’s social media history includes multiple instances of using homophobic slurs, notably the shorthand version of a well-known derogatory term, which he shared six times between 2011 and 2013. In a November 2012 post related to the “Madden NFL” video game, he used the longer form of the slur when referring to friends.
From 2011 to 2014, he employed the term “gay” 73 times in various contexts, describing friends, media, clothing, and music. For instance, in a May 2012 post, he labeled the country band Rascal Flatts as embodying “the epitome of gay.”
Additionally, he repeated another four-letter homophobic slur eight times throughout 2012 and 2013, with many of these instances aimed at friends. Furthermore, a transphobic comment regarding transgender women appeared in a March 2012 post, where he discussed their physical attributes inappropriately.
Comments about Women
Wright’s social media activity has often reflected disrespectful views towards women. He once suggested that women who struggle to make a sandwich should focus on improving their sexual skills. Additionally, he shared a post ridiculing women’s sports, labeling them a “joke.”
In another instance, he made a joke about dressing up as laundry for Halloween, implying that women have an obsession with household chores. He also referred to girls who are easily accessible as “contagious” and criticized those displaying a “naked girl silhouette sticker” on their cars, calling them “dubs,” indicating a negative connotation associated with their choices.
Use of Other Insensitive Terms
Tyler Wright has utilized and shared a derogatory term aimed at Black individuals. He reposted a content from a now-deactivated account that labeled him with this slur, which he also employed to describe his vacation plans to Jamaica back in 2013.
Furthermore, he used the term “ghetto” when referencing female students at La Vega High School in Bellmead, Texas. This community has a significant Black population, accounting for approximately 18.8% as reported by the 2020 Census.
In another instance, Wright expressed a commonly used slur denoting individuals with learning disabilities in a May 2013 post relating to a girlfriend he seemingly had at that time. These choices of language highlight the insensitivity present in his communications.