As a junior, he contributed to a 10–0 regular season record. He led the team in both interceptions (6), passes defensed (17) and interceptions returned for a touchdown (2-school record). He established a school and a NAIA single-season record with 263 yards in interception returns. He also earned NAIAAll-American honors in the long jump.
As a senior in 1991, he became one of the NAIA top football players,
finishing second in the NAIA and tied the school single-season record with eight 8 interceptions. His 199 yards in interception returns gave him 462 for a school career-record. He received the South Atlantic Conference's Defensive Player of the Year award, Little All-American honors and also played in the Blue–Gray Football Classic.[1]
Professional career
Dallas Cowboys
Holmes was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the third round (58th overall) of the 1992 NFL draft.[2] As a rookie, he was the fastest player on the team and was used mostly on special teams, finishing second on the team with 15 tackles and also registering a fumble recovery in Super Bowl XXVII.
On August 14, 1993, during the first pre-season game, he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and was lost for the season.[3]
In 1995, he started 6 games at cornerback in place of an injured Kevin Smith, while free agentDeion Sanders reached a contract agreement with the Dallas Cowboys. That same year in November, the NFL suspended him for four games for violating the league's substance-abuse policy. A week later, the suspension was increased to one year.[4]
While suspended, he incurred in a fifth violation of the NFL's substance abuse policy and was suspended for 4 additional games. On February 10, 1996, he was released from the team.[5]
Miami Dolphins
Holmes signed with the Miami Dolphins on February 26, 1997, reuniting him with former Cowboys head coach Jimmy Johnson.[6] Looking to play for the first time since November 1995, he failed another drug test that resulted in a 4-game suspension and his eventual release on October 13, 1997.[7]
Topeka Knights
In 1999, he played for the Topeka Knights of the Indoor Football League.
Holmes filed suit against the NFL for involuntarily enrolling him in a drug treatment program, after he tested positive for marijuana, but his claim was dismissed.[8] His post-football life became a turbulent mix of personal problems and financial difficulties but he has got his life back on track since.[9]