WHITLOCK - Time to get over Priest

[Hammock Parties]

The bastard beat me to it.

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/chi...ry/181461.html

The interview and subsequent column series I did with and about Larry Johnson sparked the typical feedback: People bashed Carl Peterson; people questioned Larry’s grammar and contract demands.

The interview/columns also ignited a steady stream of Priest Holmes questions.

Chiefs football fans are extremely reluctant to let go of Priest Holmes. He’s like Jimmy Hoffa’s body — everybody wants to see it again, dead or alive. Chiefs fans want a definitive “No, I’m never playing again” statement from Priest Holmes, and they’re not going to quit asking me and others about Holmes until they get one.

Priest Holmes has no intention of playing tackle football again. Matter of fact, Priest probably has no intention of playing flag football again. Let me take it a step further: Priest won’t play Xbox football again.

Not without a new contract, something that is highly unlikely for a running back who will be 34 in October and has a history of getting injured almost every football season.

That’s all just opinion. Priest never told me that. It’s just my read of the situation. That’s been my read since Holmes was spotted in a suite munching nachos during a 2005 game. Priest is done with football. The game gave him all he ever wanted — a free trip to the University of Texas, a Super Bowl ring and $15 million to $20 million. Game over.

The constant medical evaluations of his neck and spine are simply steps in a dance he must do with the Chiefs to protect the signing bonus he received before the 2003 season. Had Holmes announced his retirement after the 2005 season, Peterson probably would’ve asked for a prorated portion of Holmes’ $10 million signing bonus. So Holmes got a doctor’s note, and his absence is excused. Oh, it’s also frustrating.

It’s my contention that many NFL running backs/players (fullback Mike Alstott being a prime example) play with similar or worse spine/neck conditions than the one that is keeping Holmes off the field.

It’s also my belief that most NFL players are foolish and continue to play with dangerous injuries because their biggest fear is getting a real job and losing the spotlight.

I respect Holmes’ decision to walk away. He never had a real interest in hogging the limelight. He didn’t let his ego or a desire to make the Hall of Fame keep him in the game. He weighed the risks, spotted Larry Johnson approaching in the rearview mirror and exited the highway. Smart move.

Holmes executed a plan to land a large contract. The plan wasn’t totally honorable — it included an agent switch and a public-relations ploy/T-shirt vending company (Team Priest) initially disguised as a charity organization — but Holmes gave everything he had on the field.

He didn’t cheat Lamar Hunt or Chiefs fans, scoring 83 touchdowns in 61 games.

In retrospect, Priest Holmes was a bargain. Let’s see whether the Arizona Cardinals get 83 touchdowns out of Edgerrin James, who will earn $25 million in three seasons with the Cardinals.

The lone complaint about Holmes is that he never pretended to love Kansas City. It was always just business with Holmes. After he was injured against San Diego, he never rejoined the team and supported his teammates from the sideline or in practice. Holmes disappeared and went on with his life.

He was the original Roger Clemens of football, a reminder that big business interferes with the tradition of teamwork. Holmes was a mercenary, a contract runner.

Rather than worry about Holmes’ football plans, we should wish him well in retirement and hope that financial concerns never force him to consider a comeback. He put on a great show and earned every penny Lamar Hunt gave him.

[Logical]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

Whitlock absolutely nails it.

See we sometime agree on a football subject.

By the way I wish Priest well in his retirement. I believe he belongs in the Chiefs Ring of Fame as the best runningback the Chiefs have had up to LJ. Only time will tell whether LJ will surpass him though it is likely.

[Valiant]

Originally Posted by Lzen

I have a buddy at work who is a Cowboys fan. Every so often, he asks me about Priest's situation. He just asked about him again on Friday. I told him what I have been telling him since the extent of his injury was first announced. I said that I still think Holmes is done.

Now, if by some miracle he did make it back, he would be nothing more than a backup. And a very expensive one at that. 33 years old (will be 34 on October 7th) is old for a running back in the NFL.

The only reason why I think he keeps on saying he wants to come back is he needs his tenth year played so he can get medical benefits from the league...

[Mr. Flopnuts]

Originally Posted by Braincase

Priest is chillin' at the club...

Originally Posted by 58-4ever

with a bottle full of bub...

He's got what mommy needs, and is rollin round on dubs.

[DanT]

That column doesn't even mention the fact that Priest suffered a very serious hip injury while he was a Chief that had many worried about his return, and that he allayed much of those worries by setting about his recuperation with the same kind of grace, skill and class he showed while racking up all those KC Touchdowns:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/foo...s_minicamp_ap/

[DanT]

I, for one, will not ever "get over" Priest. I don't "get over" great players who behave with complete class. Priest doesn't owe Chiefs or their fans a thing except to show up when he's inducted into the team's Hall of Fame. He always exceeded all reasonable expectations, even as the Chiefs ran him into the ground.

[ChiefFripp]

We need him in the redzone, LJ is so inferior to Priest there.

Originally Posted by Lost in the Mail

I've already done that.

FYP

[Hammock Parties]

Excuse me?

[Immaculate]

Long past that time.

[unothadeal]

Originally Posted by Buehler445

This was a pretty good article. If he comes back, I will be wildly surprised.

SUPRISE!!

[C-Mac]

SUPPLIES! SUPPLIES!

[Paul Palmer]

Hey..Paul Palmer here and I am back...to come to try out at training camp...

The dude named the Priest has got stones...I want him to succeed...He still is the greatest Chiefs RB ever!

BELIEVE BABY BELIEVE!

[Hootie]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

Actually alot of people here still talk about Priest as if he's coming back...

....

but you "archived" my post where I said I'd stop posting if he had 20 carries this year!

[OldTownChief]

Can't wait to see "31" lining up in the backfield again. even if it's just a few plays during pre-season.

[LOCOChief]

all bets are out, including Fatlocks. Not a great article IMO. Let's face it Priest was a champion, and he thinks he still has that ability to prove it once again. It's ok for us to be sceptical as to whether or not he can accomplish this, but for Fatass to question his motives is reeruned and cheap. Whitlock is the guy that thinks his wife is cheating on him, because he himself cheats. He's never had the heart of a champ therefore can't possibly understand the drive or desire that fuels the fire. I'm not saying that Priest can return to the form that made us love this guy, but I for one am sure as hell no going to say he can't. I I certainly don't think JW should be questioning his motives and by questioning Carls he's questioning Priests (takes two to tango Fatass and the fat man that can't dance thinks the band sucks) Translation: I'm sure as hell glad Carls running the day to day business ops of the Chiefs and not you.