Where is Former Super Bowl Champion Priest Holmes Now?
Priest Holmes finished his NFL career as one of the best running backs in history. Throughout his career, he played for the Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs.
The now-49-year-old saw success as a member of both teams and established himself as a top offensive player throughout the league.
Priest Holmes’ path to the NFL
Holmes played 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 eventually signed with the Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 1997. 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. In 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 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 back 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.
Holmes won the 2002 Offensive Player of the Year
A year after Holmes joined the Chiefs, he had even more success. In 2002, he rushed for 1,615 yards — the most during his career — and led the league with 21 touchdowns. Holmes 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. 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.
Priest Holmes’ life after football
Holmes finished his career rushing for 8,172 yards and 76 touchdowns. (Jamaal Charles broke his rushing yards record in 2014, according to Bleacher Report.)
Holmes was selected to the Pro Bowl three times and was a three-time First-team All-Pro selection. Holmes retired in 2007 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 Kansas City 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. He had a passion for giving back to the community.
After he retired from football, Holmes decided to go back to school and get his degree, reports Sporting News. He received a bachelor’s degree in youth and community studies from the University of Texas College of Education.
Although the retired athlete hasn’t updated his personal website in several years, PriestHolmes.com does indicate that he is available for public speaking engagements.
Stats courtesy of Pro Football Reference.
