Priest Holmes finished his NFL career as one of the best running backs in history, Holmes accomplished a lot and received numerous awards. He played for the Baltimore Ravens and the Kansas City Chiefs throughout his career.

He saw success as a member of both teams, and he established himself as a top offensive player throughout the league.

Priest Holmes path the NFL

Holmes played his college football at the University of Texas. After his college career, he decided to pursue his dream of playing in the NFL. Holmes did not hear his name called in the 1997 NFL draft. He would eventually sign with the Ravens as an undrafted free agent in1997. In his rookie season, he was the Ravens fourth-string running back.

Holmes appeared in seven games as a rookie. During his second year, he competed for the starting position during training camp. Going into his second season, Holmes was third on the depth chart for running backs. Holmes started in 13 games that season and rushed for 1,008 yards and scored seven touchdowns. During the 2000 season, Holmes was a part of a Ravens team that won the Super Bowl as they defeated the New York Giants 34-7. Four years into his NFL career, Holmes was already a Super Bowl champion.

After the 2000 season, Holmes joined the Chiefs, and his career took off from there. Holmes was the starting running in Kansas City, and in his first season with the team, he led the league in rushing. He rushed for 1,555 yards that season and had eight touchdowns. Holmes started to establish himself as one of the best running backs in the league at that time.

Priest Holmes wins Offensive Player of the Year

A year after Holmes joined the Chiefs, he had even more success in his second year with the team. In 2002 he rushed for 1,615 yards, which was the most during his career, and he led the league with 21 touchdowns. He was named the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year that season. Holmes put in the hard work in the offseason, and it paid off for him in a big way.

After Holmes had a successful season in 2002, he continued that success going into the 2003 season. Once again, he rushed for over 1,000 yards and led the league again in touchdowns with 27. Holmes enjoyed his time in Kansas City and just looking at his numbers, there’s no question that he is one of the best players to be a part of that organization.

Priest Holmes life after football

Holmes finished his career rushing for 8,172 yards and 86 touchdowns. He was selected to the Pro Bowl three times and was a three-time First-team All-Pro selection. Holmes retired in 2007, and he retired as the Chief’s all-time leader in career rushing touchdowns (76), total touchdowns, and career rushing yards (6,070). In 2014 he was inducted into the Chiefs Hall of Fame.

In 2005, two years before he retired, Holmes started the Priest Holmes Foundation to help young students maximize their full potential. Holmes had a passion for giving back to the community. After he finished with football, Holmes decided to go back to school and get his degree. He received a bachelor’s degree in youth and community studies from the University of Texas College of Education.