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It's been over 18 years since Priest Holmes left the University of Texas, but the former Ravens and Chiefs running back returned to earn his degree.
During his four years at Texas from 1992-96, Holmes did not complete his degree. But he recently went back to school and received a bachelor's degree in youth and community studies from UT’s College of Education.
Priest Holmes(Getty Images)
"Even though playing professionally in the NFL was one of my long-term goals, not completing my degree was still weighing on me,"Holmes told the college. "Philanthropic work has been a huge part of my mission and purpose, but I knew I could only evolve so much until I could go back and finish it.
"I knew doing so would not only benefit my philanthropic goals but also my family, hopefully inspiring my kids and other individuals to stay motivated to learn everything about their field of interest and not just settle on what they have at the moment. I wanted to be able to inspire young athletes who may be in similar situations to not give up on their educational goals, even if life takes them in new directions."
Undrafted in 1997, Holmes signed with the Ravens and ran for 1,008 yards in 1998, which included a 227-yard performance against the Bengals. He was part of Baltimore's Super Bowl championship team in 2000 before going to Kansas City, where his career truly blossomed.
Holmes led the NFL in rushing with 1,555 yards in 2001 and made the first of three straight Pro Bowls. He ran for 1,615 yards in 2002, despite missing two games, and followed with 1,420 rushing yards and a then-NFL record 27 rushing touchdowns in 2003.
Holmes retired as the Chiefs all-time leader in rushing yards and touchdowns and total touchdowns. Jamaal Charles has since passed him as Kansas City's all-time rushing leader, but Holmes was inducted into the Chiefs Hall of Fame in 2014.
The 41-year-old said the decision to return to college and complete his degree was initially intimidating and "quickly became a very humbling experience because I felt very out of my element."
Holmes started the Priest Holmes Foundation in 2005 to "help young students maximize their potential." Headquartered in San Antonio, theHolmes Foundationis "committed to encouraging education and enhancing the lives of children in our community."
It was his work in education that drove Holmes to finally return to complete his degree. Holmes said his latest achievement made him recall the words of former Eagles, Rams and Chiefs coach Dick Vermeil.
“Coach Vermeil would ask the team the morning after each game, ‘When was the last time you did something for the first time?’ I’ve accomplished many first-time moments with the Chiefs —touchdown records, offensive records and individual records," Holmes said. "And no matter how rewarding those accomplishments have been, there really is nothing like experiencing something for the first time."
Like walking across a college stage to receive a university diploma.
It's been over 18 years since Priest Holmes left the University of Texas, but the former Ravens and Chiefs running back returned to earn his degree.
During his four years at Texas from 1992-96, Holmes did not complete his degree. But he recently went back to school and received a bachelor's degree in youth and community studies from UT’s College of Education.
Priest Holmes(Getty Images)
"Even though playing professionally in the NFL was one of my long-term goals, not completing my degree was still weighing on me,"Holmes told the college. "Philanthropic work has been a huge part of my mission and purpose, but I knew I could only evolve so much until I could go back and finish it.
"I knew doing so would not only benefit my philanthropic goals but also my family, hopefully inspiring my kids and other individuals to stay motivated to learn everything about their field of interest and not just settle on what they have at the moment. I wanted to be able to inspire young athletes who may be in similar situations to not give up on their educational goals, even if life takes them in new directions."
Undrafted in 1997, Holmes signed with the Ravens and ran for 1,008 yards in 1998, which included a 227-yard performance against the Bengals. He was part of Baltimore's Super Bowl championship team in 2000 before going to Kansas City, where his career truly blossomed.
Holmes led the NFL in rushing with 1,555 yards in 2001 and made the first of three straight Pro Bowls. He ran for 1,615 yards in 2002, despite missing two games, and followed with 1,420 rushing yards and a then-NFL record 27 rushing touchdowns in 2003.
Holmes retired as the Chiefs all-time leader in rushing yards and touchdowns and total touchdowns. Jamaal Charles has since passed him as Kansas City's all-time rushing leader, but Holmes was inducted into the Chiefs Hall of Fame in 2014.
The 41-year-old said the decision to return to college and complete his degree was initially intimidating and "quickly became a very humbling experience because I felt very out of my element."
Holmes started the Priest Holmes Foundation in 2005 to "help young students maximize their potential." Headquartered in San Antonio, theHolmes Foundationis "committed to encouraging education and enhancing the lives of children in our community."
It was his work in education that drove Holmes to finally return to complete his degree. Holmes said his latest achievement made him recall the words of former Eagles, Rams and Chiefs coach Dick Vermeil.
“Coach Vermeil would ask the team the morning after each game, ‘When was the last time you did something for the first time?’ I’ve accomplished many first-time moments with the Chiefs —touchdown records, offensive records and individual records," Holmes said. "And no matter how rewarding those accomplishments have been, there really is nothing like experiencing something for the first time."
Like walking across a college stage to receive a university diploma.
