Earl Holmes is a former American football linebacker who played in the National Football League (NFL) for nine seasons. He was born on November 17, 1973, in East Orange, New Jersey, and attended Florida A&M University, where he played college football for the Rattlers.
Holmes was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth round of the 1996 NFL Draft. He played for the Steelers for six seasons, from 1996 to 2001, and was a key member of their defense during that time. He started 79 games for the Steelers and recorded 615 tackles, 7.5 sacks, and 3 interceptions. He was known for his hard-hitting style and his ability to read and react to plays quickly.
In 2002, Holmes signed with the Cleveland Browns as a free agent. He played for the Browns for two seasons, from 2002 to 2003, and was again a starter on their defense. He recorded 221 tackles, 2 sacks, and 1 interception during his time with the Browns.
Holmes then signed with the Detroit Lions in 2004 and played for them for one season. He started 13 games for the Lions and recorded 89 tackles and 1 sack. He was released by the Lions in 2005 and signed with the Kansas City Chiefs, where he played his final season in the NFL. He started 11 games for the Chiefs and recorded 47 tackles and 1 interception.
In total, Holmes played in 131 NFL games and started 114 of them. He recorded 972 tackles, 11.5 sacks, and 5 interceptions during his career. He was a reliable and consistent player who was respected by his teammates and opponents alike.
After retiring from the NFL, Holmes worked as a high school football coach in Florida. He also founded the Earl Holmes Foundation, which provides scholarships and mentoring programs for underprivileged youth in his hometown of East Orange, New Jersey.
In conclusion, Earl Holmes was a talented and hard-working linebacker who had a successful career in the NFL. He played for four different teams over nine seasons and was a starter for most of his career. He was known for his toughness, his ability to read and react to plays, and his leadership on and off the field.
🏈