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KC Chiefs: Priest Holmes Graduates

By Michael Tavis

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Priest Holmes, the former great running back for the Kansas City Chiefs, has graduated from the University of Texas, where he played his college ball.

Former KC Chiefs running back Priest Holmes returned to college at the University of Texas, and earned his applied learning and development degree.

It is always a great story when an athlete is able to go back and complete their education after their careers are over. Such accomplishments can’t be easy.

Texassports.com paid tribute to the former Texas Longhorn this week upon the completion of his degree.

"They say the body goes where the eyes go. So for a running back, while agility and quickness are necessary qualities, vision might actually be the most important. Vision allows the running back to see the hole, identify the seam and pick out that opening in the secondary."

Vision is something that Priest Holmes excelled at on the field but maybe even more so off of it. After retiring from the NFL Holmes started the Priest Holmes Foundation which encourages education and awards deserving students with scholarships.

It is no doubt that Holmes will continue to be a leader in the community and do as many great things off the field as he did on it. His drive to complete this dream matched his efforts on the field.

"“Perseverance speaks volumes if you apply it to your life.”-Priest Holmes courtesy of Texassports.com"

Holmes began his NFL Career in 1997 signing with the Baltimore Ravens after going undrafted in the 1997 NFL Draft. Holmes played four years with the Ravens including winning the Super Bowl with them in 2000.

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Coming off a Super Bowl win Holmes entered free agency and was signed by the KC Chiefs. He had a career year for the Chiefs in 2001 and was named to the first Pro Bowl of his career, but the best was still to come.

Holmes had a monster year in 2002 setting a career high with 1,615 yards and adding 21 touchdowns in only 14 games. He was named to his second consecutive Pro Bowl after leading the league in rushing touchdowns and was also named as the NFL Offensive Player of the Year.

2003 was arguably the best year of Holmes career. He finished with 1,420 yards and a NFL record 27 rushing touchdowns earning his third consecutive Pro Bowl appearance. His rushing touchdown record would later be beat but Holmes will always be credited with raising the bar.

Priest Holmes had a respectable 2004 season but in 2005 his season was ended after a tackle by Shawne Merriman in which Holmes suffered an injury to his spinal column.

Not only did the injury force Holmes to miss the remainder of the 2005 season and the entire 2006 season, it also made way for Larry Johnson to start and we all know how that turned out.

Holmes attempted to make a comeback in 2007 but he was never able to fully overcome the injury and officially retired from the NFL on November 21st, 2007.

Holmes holds the KC Chiefs all-time record for career rushing touchdowns (76), career total touchdowns (83), and is second for career rushing yards (5,933).

Next: Top Five Running Backs In Chiefs History

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