Kansas City, Mo — Priest Holmes entered the NFL an undrafted running back from Texas. He had a 1,000-yard rushing season in his second NFL year in Baltimore, but was relegated to a backup during the Ravens' 2000 Super Bowl season.
But on Wednesday, Priest Holmes, now just 17 yards removed from the NFL rushing lead, saw his five-year career come full circle when he was named to the AFC Pro Bowl roster for the first time.
"I hope this serves as a light for other players who came into the league as a undrafted player," said Holmes, who has 1,438 rushing yards and a 4.7-yard average in his first season with the Kansas City Chiefs.
His new teammates were almost as happy to see the quiet, modest Holmes join Pro Bowl veterans Tony Gonzalez and Will Shields as the Chiefs' representatives in the NFL's annual all-star game in Hawaii.
"I'm so happy for him," said Gonzalez, the NFL leader in receptions by tight ends who will make a third straight appearance in Hawaii. "To come in as he did as a free agent and then go to the Pro Bowl, he's exceeded every expectation people had of him."
As a first-time Pro Bowl selection, however, Holmes may have been a little too excited when his selection was announced to his teammates.
"He may have put his foot in his mouth when he said he'd take the whole team!" Gonzalez said. "I'm not exaggerating; he said he'd take the whole team!"
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