Priest Holmes

Priest Holmes at NFL.com Priest Anthony Holmes (born October 7, 1973 in Fort Smith, Arkansas) is an American football running back who is currently a member of the Kansas City Chiefs of the NFL.

Holmes was raised in San Antonio, Texas. After graduating from high school, he played college football for the University of Texas, where he played with future Heisman Trophy winner Ricky Williams. After graduating from the university, he joined the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 1997. In the 1998 season with the Ravens, Holmes rushed over 1000 yards, including one 200-plus yard game, the highest single game total of the season. In addition, he helped the Ravens to win Super Bowl XXXV in 2001.

The following season, Priest Holmes signed with the Kansas City Chiefs. In his first season with the Chiefs, he was the NFL's leading rusher with 1555 yards.

Despite missing the final two games in the 2002 NFL season because of a hip injury, Holmes rushed 1615 yards with 21 touchdowns. In the 2003 season, he broke Marshall Faulk's NFL record for total touchdowns in a season with 27[1]. Shaun Alexander broke this record with 28 total touchdowns in 2005, and Holmes and Alexander shared the record for most rushing touchdowns in a season with 27 before Ladainian Tomlinson broke the record. Holmes is one of only two running backs in NFL history to have back to back seasons with 20 or more rushing touchdowns (Emmitt Smith was the first player to have ever accomplished this feat while with the Cowboys from 94-95) with 21 in 2002 and 27 in 2003. On a pace to repeat the feat in 2004, he suffered an injury that ended his season with 14 touchdowns. His 2005 season was cut short by an injury to his spinal column. He was replaced by backup Larry Johnson, who finished the season with the second-highest rushing total in the NFL. 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' Injury Reserved (IR) list for the season.

Holmes has repeatedly voiced that he would like to return for at least two or three more seasons in the NFL. He has stated however that he will not force a comeback in the event that it could be detrimental to his long term health. As of mid-October he is still reportedly considering a comeback attempt [2] but has not practiced since 2005 and would have to be cleared by a doctor before he could resume practicing. Holmes missed the whole 2006 season. However, Chiefs general manager Carl Peterson said Tuesday that medical tests on Holmes have been encouraging and Holmes hopes to return for the 2007 season. [3]

Trivia

• Holmes also holds most Chiefs team records in rushing and yards-from scrimmage categories.
• Holmes has revealed that he enjoys playing chess in his free time.
• Holmes is an active member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes
• Holmes still maintains a home in San Antonio during the NFL offseason.
• Holmes was hit by Shawne Merriman for a near career ending concussion in the 2005 season

External link

• ESPN.com's Priest Holmes Profile