For more than 80 years, the Wright family has had a front-row seat to Washington football history — only their view has been right on the field, working as game-day field producers for the team.
Inside Mark Wright’s basement in Burtonsville, Md. the walls are filled with memorabilia from generations of Washington football. The collection serves as a reminder of a family tradition that began in 1940 and continues today.
Wright is entering his 55th season working with the team as a field producer. His son, Todd, is entering his 20th. Together, they have spent decades helping make game days happen behind the scenes at Washington home games.
The father-son duo will be back for another season in 2026. The Commanders open up the pre-season August 14 versus the Miami Dolphins at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Md.
The Wright family’s connection to the team dates back to Mark’s father Buck, who began working with the organization in 1940 as an assistant drum major with the band. Over time, Mark began to help his father and his responsibilities expanded, and Mark became one of the people helping run productions on the field.
Eventually, Todd became his father’s assistant—and the family tradition continued.
For most fans, the game begins when the players take the field. For the Wrights, it starts much earlier. Game-day operations involve coordinating the national anthem, color guard, cheerleaders, presentations, kickoff kids, the coin toss, alumni appearances and countless other activities.
Before kickoff, the crew meets to determine who is responsible for each assignment and when everything needs to happen. The goal is simple: make sure everything goes smoothly without the crowd ever realizing how much work went into it.
“When nobody notices, we’ve done our job,” Mark said.
That behind-the-scenes work becomes even more complicated for special events, such as honoring a franchise legend or retiring a jersey.
The Wrights have to make sure the props are in place, the presentation is ready and everyone involved is where they need to be.
“Getting to introduce the team and send them out is amazing,” Todd said. “Just being able to have a unique experience that not everyone gets to have.”
For the Wright family, Washington football has never simply been a job.
“It’s an honor to have the opportunity to do what I do,” Mark said. “To be on the field and to be a part of the organization and to carry on the family tradition that’s now 80-some years old.”
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