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Priest Holmes Biography

Dec 27, 2006

With a healed hip and a healthy mind, Priest Holmes is preparing for another season as the NFL's greatest offensive weapon. Kidzworld has a closer look at the humble, high-energy, star running back for the Kansas City Chiefs.

Priest Holmes - Part Jock, Part Chess Club Geek

Priest Holmes was born in Fort Smith, Arkansas on October 7, 1973. Holmes' family moved to San Antonio, Texas when Priest was in grade seven. At school, Priest Holmes became a two-sport athlete. Priest was a star on his school's football team and also joined the chess club. Priest Holmes used the strategy of chess to make him a better football player. Just like a chess player needs to figure out the best plan to attack the King, Holmes reasoned that a running back needs to plot the best strategy to maneuver through defenders to reach the end zone.

Priest Holmes Turns Pro

After scoring 26 touchdowns and rushing for over 2000 yards in his senior year at Marshall High School in San Antonio, Priest Holmes went to play for the University of Texas Longhorns (The college chess team didn't offer quite as nice a scholarship.) Priest Holmes had a solid four years in Texas, where he played with Pro-Bowl running back, Ricky Williams. But many scouts didn't see Priest Holmes as NFL material, so he was never drafted. The Baltimore Ravens signed Holmes as a free agent in 1997. Priest Holmes rushed for over 1,000 yards in 1998 and helped the Ravens win the Super Bowl in 2001.

Priest Holmes Ignites the Chiefs

In 2001, Priest Holmes decided to leave the Ravens and join the Kansas City Chiefs so he could get more playing time as a running back. In Priest's first season with the Chiefs, Holmes became one of the NFL's most exciting players. Priest Holmes speed, tactical running ability and strength made him the NFL's leading rusher with 1555 yards. Priest also had over 600 yards passing and scored 10 touchdowns. The following year, Priest Holmes rushed for over 1600 yards and scored 21 TDs, despite missing the last two games of the season because of a hip injury. That injury has now healed and Priest Holmes is expected to start for the Chiefs on the opening game of the 2003 NFL Season.

Priest Holmes - Did U Know?

  • Priest Holmes has two sons, De'Andre and Jekovan.
  • Holmes tutors kids in chess at a Police Athletic League Center in Kansas City.
  • Priest Holmes once used cars as part of his off-season training routine. He improved his strength by lifting up the back end of his sister's car and seeing how far he could drag it. Holmes worked on his jumping by hurdling over the hoods of automobiles in his neighborhood.

    Priest Holmes Says...
    "All your life, you will have people tell you what you can and can't do. Kids will have to hear that over and over again. But with chess, there are no limitations. It's whatever your mind imagines. Nobody can tell you who you are when you're playing chess."

    For more on Priest Holmes, head to www.teampriest.com

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