Rodney Holman was a professional football player who played as a tight end in the National Football League (NFL) for 12 seasons. He was born on April 7, 1960, in Detroit, Michigan, and attended Taft High School in Woodland Hills, California. Holman played college football at Tulane University, where he was a standout player and earned All-American honors in 1982.
Holman was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the fourth round of the 1982 NFL Draft. He quickly established himself as a reliable receiver and blocker, and became a key player on the Bengals' offense. Holman played for the Bengals for nine seasons, from 1982 to 1990, and was a three-time Pro Bowler during that time. He was also named to the All-Pro team in 1989.
In 1991, Holman signed with the Detroit Lions as a free agent. He played for the Lions for three seasons, from 1991 to 1993, and was a valuable contributor to the team's offense. Holman retired from the NFL after the 1995 season, having played in 178 games and catching 365 passes for 4,365 yards and 36 touchdowns.
Holman was known for his versatility as a tight end, and was equally adept at catching passes and blocking for the running game. He was also known for his durability, having played in 178 consecutive games at one point in his career. Holman was a respected leader on and off the field, and was known for his work ethic and dedication to the game.
After retiring from football, Holman became a coach, working as an assistant coach for several NFL teams, including the San Francisco 49ers, the Oakland Raiders, and the Detroit Lions. He also worked as a scout for the 49ers and the Lions.
Holman was inducted into the Tulane Athletics Hall of Fame in 1997, and the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 2011. He is also a member of the Cincinnati Bengals' 50th Anniversary Team, which was selected in 2017 to honor the best players in the team's history.
In summary, Rodney Holman was a talented and versatile tight end who played in the NFL for 12 seasons. He was a three-time Pro Bowler and an All-Pro selection, and was known for his durability and leadership. After retiring from football, Holman became a coach and scout, and was inducted into several halls of fame.
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