Priest Holmes: Chiefs Running Back
Publication: Sports Illustrated
Date: November 8, 2004
ON THE IMPACT OF HIS FATHER, M. SGT. HERMAN MORRIS, BEING DEPLOYED TO IRAQ LAST JANUARY:
I think about him four or five times a day–on the practice field, during games, at home. I think about what he might be doing that day, what he’s going through. It helps me do my job. I think about his perseverance, his commitment.
ON HIS MOTIVATION: My inspiration is to play at a level where they’ll have highlights from me on SportsCenter so my father can watch me. They’re eight hours ahead, and I know they watch as much football as they can, either games or the highlights.
ON THE HARDEST HE’S BEEN HIT: Levon Kirkland, the Pittsburgh linebacker, a few years ago. I was with Baltimore. The quarterback exposed me on a pass route. I caught the ball and all of a sudden the sun disappeared. Everything went black. But I never got knocked out. As a player you never want anyone to see you hurt. You have to get up like nothing happened.
ON THE TOP FOUR BACKS IN FOOTBALL: Number 1, Jamal Lewis. His stature and speed make him so hard to bring down. He’s a linebacker playing running back. Number 2, LaDainian Tomlinson. Had the 100 grabs last year. Great runner. Changing the running back position. Number 3, me. I have the ability to make people miss. You can’t know that from a scouting report; you have to see it. Number 4, the kid from Tennessee, Chris Brown. I like the way he runs, his frame. Great upside.
ON HIS FAVORITE GAME OTHER THAN FOOTBALL: Scrabble. I like using my mind. I like it when someone sets me up for a triple word score.
ON WHAT HE’LL BE DOING IN FIVE YEARS: Working in the community with my nonprofit, Team Priest. Growing the company, earning money, pouring it back into the community so we can help the underprivileged.
