Priest Holmes

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Priest Anthony Holmes^[1](born October 7, 1973 in Fort Smith, Arkansas) is former American football running back of the National Football League. He was originally signed by the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 1997. He played college football at Texas.

Holmes earned a Super Bowl ring with the Ravens in Super Bowl XXXV. After rushing for just over 2,000 yards in four seasons in Baltimore, Holmes experienced breakout success after signing with the Kansas City Chiefs as a free agent in 2001. During his seven-year stint with the Chiefs, Holmes was a three-time All-Pro, three-time Pro Bowl selection and was named NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 2002. Holmes sat out the 2006 season with a neck injury, and after a brief comeback attempt in 2007 retired from the NFL.

Holmes was raised in San Antonio, Texas, where he continues to maintain a home. After leading his team to the Texas state high school championship game and graduating from John Marshall High School, he played college football for The University of Texas, where he played with future Heisman Trophy winner Ricky Williams.

[edit] Professional career

[edit] Baltimore Ravens

After graduating from college, he joined the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 1997. In the 1998 season with the Ravens, Holmes rushed for over 1,000 yards, including one 200-plus yard game, the highest single game total of the season. In the 2000 season, he was supplanted as a starter by rookie running back Jamal Lewis. The Ravens won Super Bowl XXXV with Holmes as the game's second string halfback.

[edit] Kansas City Chiefs

[edit] Breakout success

The following season, Holmes signed an inexpensive contract with the Kansas City Chiefs. In his first season with the Chiefs, he went beyond expectations by becoming the NFL's leading rusher with 1,555 yards for 2001 NFL season.

Despite missing the final two games in the 2002 NFL season because of a hip injury, Holmes rushed for 1,615 yards with 21 touchdowns. In the 2003 season, he broke Marshall Faulk's NFL record for total touchdowns in a season with 27, which was subsequently broken by Shaun Alexander with 28 total touchdowns in 2005.^[2] The record is now held by Ladainian Tomlinson who set the record in 2006 with 31 total touchdowns. Holmes and Emmitt Smith are the only two running backs in NFL history to have back to back seasons with 20 or more rushing touchdowns. On a pace to repeat the feat in 2004, he suffered an injury that ended his season with 14 touchdowns.

[edit] Spinal injury

Holmes' 2005 season was also cut short by an injury to his spinal column from a tackle by Shawne Merriman on October 30, 2005. He was replaced for the season by backup Larry Johnson. During the following offseason, new coach Herm Edwards promoted Johnson to the starting position.

Holmes' spinal injury did not heal by the end of the 2006 preseason, and he was placed on the Chiefs' Physically Unable to Perform list for the season. Larry Johnson took over full-time as the Chiefs' starting running back.

Throughout the 2006 season, Holmes repeatedly said that he would like to return for at least two or three more seasons in the NFL, but that he would not force a comeback if it could be detrimental to his long term health.

[edit] Comeback and retirement

Following encouraging medical tests, Holmes reported to the Chiefs' training camp in July 2007.^[3][4] However the Chiefs did not include him on the roster at the start of the season, listing him on the non-football injury list instead.^[5] Following a mid-season trade of Michael Bennett, Holmes returned to the Kansas City roster, beginning practice on October 17, 2007. Holmes then completed the comeback 4 days later, playing in the Chief's regular season game against the Oakland Raiders, carrying the ball 4 times. Priest made his first start since October 30, 2005 against the San Diego Chargers and played in a home game on November 11, 2007 in a 27 to 11 loss to the Denver Broncos. Holmes had 20 rushes for 65 yards.^[6]

Holmes announced his retirement on November 21, 2007 after reinjuring his neck on the previous Sunday, November 18th, in a game vs. the Indianapolis Colts ^[7]. At the time of his departure, Holmes held the Chiefs records for career rushing attempts (1,275), career rushing yards (5,933) career rushing touchdowns (76), and total touchdowns (83). ^[8]

[edit] Personal

Priest is an avid map collector, with over 10,000 maps. Holmes enjoys playing chess^[9]and is an active member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Kansas City Chiefs bio
• Priest Holmes at the Internet Movie Database