Holmes may consider retirement
Web Posted: 02/28/2006 12:00 AM CST
Tom Orsborn
San Antonio Express-News
While family and friends say they are unsure whether Kansas City Chiefs running back Priest Holmes will retire, they acknowledge his actions of late aren't in keeping with what he usually does to prepare for the season.
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"He hasn't been carrying on as if he was going to play," Holmes' stepfather, Herman Morris, said. "Normally, he would be in the gym working out and have a routine going on. Right now, he seems to be laid back and relaxed and not wanting to think about it."
Holmes' NFL career, one of the greatest forged by a San Antonian, was jeopardized by a helmet-to-helmet collision Oct.30 in San Diego. Diagnosed with head and neck trauma, Holmes' season ended 10 days later when the Chiefs placed him on injured reserve.
Since then, the former Marshall High standout and University of Texas alumnus has undergone several examinations to determine if he is neurologically fit to play a ninth NFL season. Last week, he met with physician Robert Watkins, a Los Angeles-based spine surgeon.
A spokesperson for Holmes' agent, Todd France, said Monday that France and the Chiefs are awaiting a report from Watkins.
Holmes could not be reached for comment. Morris said he's been getting "mixed signals" from Holmes regarding his future.
"It has been difficult for him," Morris said of Holmes. "He still has the desire to play. But he wants to weigh all of his options and make sure the final decision he makes is the final decision."
Holmes, who graduated from Marshall in 1992, signed a four-year extension with the Chiefs before the 2003 season. The deal could pay him as much as $28million through the 2009 season. Terms included $8.5million in signing bonuses.
Holmes, 32, is a three-time Pro Bowler who has rushed for 1,000 yards or more four times. He ranks first in Chiefs history with 5,933 rushing yards, and the 66 touchdowns he scored from 2002-04 are a league record for a three-year period.
But injuries forced him to miss 17 games the past two seasons. Chiefs coach Herm Edwards already has named fourth-year player Larry Johnson the starter next season, an expected move considering Johnson, 25, rushed for 1,750 yards and 20 TDs last season.
Morris said Holmes and Johnson enjoy a warm relationship.
"(Holmes) made the comment he was really happy, in a way, that he didn't have to think about preparing for games and stuff as a starting running back," Morris said. "He was happy for Larry that he stepped up and did an outstanding job."
Edwards said Holmes indicated last month he is prepared to continue playing.
"It seemed like he wanted to come back," the Kansas City Star quoted Edwards as saying. "Hopefully, he's going to be cleared, and hopefully, he wants to come back."
Holmes typically spends February working out in San Antonio in preparation for grueling conditioning sessions with personal trainer Bremond "Bay Bay" McClinton.
"He always did his own thing before he came to me in March or April," McClinton said. "He always told me he would rather go get his body and mind right before he sees me because my workouts are so intense."
But instead of lifting weights and running sprints, Holmes has spent much of the offseason "taking care of other priorities," Morris said.
"He's spending a lot of time with his four kids," Morris said.
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torsborn@express-news.net
Express-News staff writer David Flores contributed to this story
