The Most Dominant 3 Years by a Running Back in NFL History | Vault Stories

Elliot Harrison recounts Kansas City Chiefs running back Priest Holmes' incredible three-year dominance and the mark he left on NFL history.
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[@poonking3628]

The fact that he didn’t win the 2003 NFL MVP is a travesty. Set the record for TDs, had the most yards for scrimmage that year, and led KC to a 13-3 record. Absolutely outstanding

[@kevinbragg8075]

We lived in the San Diego market but were chiefs fans, so my dad took us to stadium pizza every Sunday that season when the chiefs game wasn’t airing. That was a good football season 😊

[@mikemorris9902]

They absolutely robbed priest Holmes of the mvp. I can’t believe he didn’t win it in 2003, you’re 1000% on point when you said travesty! Disgusting from the NFL

[@briansager3744]

between Priest, Shaun Alexander, Faulk and LT, the early 2000s were a great time to love running backs.

[@TheMmarvel61]

At Ricky Williams

[@briansager3744]

+Mike Marvel Yeah Ricky, Jamal Lewis, Edgerrin, Corey Dillon, even Ahman Green. I was trying to avoid listing like 20 guys, but it seemed like every team had a beast in the backfield.

[@TERRORNEWT]

And Jerome Bettis

[@chrisbowman4346]

Brian Sager Fred Taylor

[@TheKhaos85]

For some reason i didnt like shaun Alexander

[@305bizem]

priest holmes, fred taylor, corey dillion & curtis martin are the most underrated backs to play. oh yea & robert smith

[@jaccpot]

Edgerrin James and Brian Westbrook?

[@jaccpot]

Clinton Portis too

[@305bizem]

+DeSean Jackson #jaccpot #0ne0fone #1hunna warrick dumn had the juice too

[@8MoneyIzmyMission8]

Curtis Martin is so underrated it's ridiculous. At least most acknowledge how good Holmes was without looking up stats first.

[@8MoneyIzmyMission8]

+8MoneyIzmyMission8 also how is Fred Taylor underrated? He gets tons of props.

[@KendallCove]

ESPN NFL 2K5 never dies.

[@slylaw3534]

yes sir

[@bshepgtgtggt]

Karl Shannon NEVER

[@kurtguenther9376]

Madden '04

[@WeAreTheSickness]

Madden 03 and 04 too, haha the only reason I ever played those games was to destroy everyone as the Chiefs.

[@chrisbowman4346]

WeAreTheSickness screw madden

[@Hennessyfather]

Not taking anything away from The Priest but that O-line was more than just "stellar". Will Shields, Willie Roaf and Brian Waters are all Hall Of Famers.

[@callofdutyblackops9]

That line is universally considered to be one of the greatest lines of all time. Its definitely one of the best if not the best.

[@bobby1603]

Totally agree. One of the reasons I believe Barry Sanders was a better RB than E. Smith as Smith ran behind one of the best olines in history.

[@Iconhulk]

You forgot Casey Wiegmann....! T.f. Came in after Late great Tim Grunhard..

[@Iconhulk]

@@callofdutyblackops9 Goat Line

[@akhi5749]

Don't forget Tony Richardson as the fb!

[@sawchiefs29]

Lets not forget his 2004 season. Yes, he was out after 8 games but in those 8, he racked up almost 900 yards on the ground and 15 total TD's. He was on pace to get over 1,700 rushing yards and 30 TD's.

[@Cum007]

That's like saying if someone is 20 there on pace to be 40

[@sawchiefs29]

@@Cum007 I said he was on pace, I never said he was gonna get there. Someone who's 20 eventually turns 40.

[@Paperr12]

As a Broncos fan, Its hard to forget Priest Holmes...

[@samuelrobert4083]

I'd figure you'd say LT, since in 2006 he scored like 10 TDs on your team ALONE.

[@brianturner496]

@@samuelrobert4083 him too lol

[@bigorange000]

As a Chiefs fan, thank you. He was a beast.

[@jarberwoks8399]

@@samuelrobert4083 LT will be remembered by everyone in that division

[@chiefmac88]

Everyone knows Priest was a great runner, the o-line was great, but Tony Richardson at fullback often gets overlooked. The guy was an incredible reason for their success.

[@Iconhulk]

Best FB period. He would have been playing halfback for us but then we got Priest Holmes and T-Rich wanted to block for him... And the rest is Chiefs History.

[@whattheyourgae9627]

@@tddj8187 okoye was not that good lmao

[@timothyschaller]

Also overlooked was Jason Dunn the backup TE who was basically an extra O lineman, dude could take on any blocking assignments and knew he would win the battle. One the best toss sweep teams ever!

[@TheRealcdawg22]

That Offensive Line was probably the best ever. That is not to take away from Holmes' talent. Running,, catching screens, pass protection, he was great at everything! To this day, I have still never seen anyone dive at the Goalline like Priest Holmes did. The way he hit holes and set up the next block after block was artistic even, a thing of beauty. That offense was incredible.

[@jackson5781]

​@@TheRealcdawg22 go look at what Emmitt Smith had with Larry Allen

[@DingoDIDeatmybaby]

So many great Chiefs running backs in the 2000s-now: Priest Holmes, Larry Johnson, Jamaal Charles, Kareem Hunt. They're like an RB factory

[@KCRookie]

If we could have Kareem Hunt back!!! Sigh

[@calebqueen2090]

J Just get yourself DAndre Swift next year you’ll be good again

[@Hennessyfather]

Jim Johnson Thats because we ran them all into the ground lol. Every one of those dudes was a workhorse when they were on the team, Priest Holmes with back to back 20+ TD seasons and 300+ attempts 3 years straight, Larry Johnson had a season with 416 attempts and 336 the year before, and who can forget the year Jamaal lead the team in Yards and TDS in rushing and receiving lmao.

[@tddj8187]

Now clyde edwards is next

[@DrakeCorsair]

@@Hennessyfather That's also because we didn't really have a decent quarterback when we had great running backs.

[@benhollis3488]

KC fan here... priest holmes will always be my favourite player.... best RB EVER!!!!

[@jackson5781]

Ben Hollis i feel ya bro. gosh i miss this dude like no othet

[@clearingbaffles]

Ben Hollis Marcus!

[@treywar25]

Ben Hollis best RB ever for 3 great years?

[@iss6044]

Priest Holmes was my favorite running back when he was playing, and maybe my favorite running back of all time. I always killed my friend in madden with him.

[@SDA5up]

He's a beast on nfl street

[@Solidnotsour]

My favorite RB of the 2000's, he should be a hall of famer soon

[@jamesbutler783]

Dre Allen He don’t have all the numbers to make the hall of fame.

[@Train2kill00]

Holmes was amazing. And that 3-year stretch was extremely productive. The touchdowns set him apart. Dickerson’s first 3-years, Terrell Davis’s 2nd-4th seasons, Tomlinson’s first 3 seasons, Tiki Barbers last 3 seasons are all comparable to Holmes run. I wish he could’ve stayed healthy for a few more seasons.

[@AdamWest1290]

As a raider fan dante hall and priest holmes were freaking marvelous to watch

[@cj-qt6mj]

Can't forget the human 🕹

[@stealthiscool]

Finally somebody has said what I've been saying for years. This man deserves more respect, gets disrespected like Terrell Davis

[@gusmoreno3167]

the reason why i became a Chiefs fan!

[@rehmanukani3289]

the reason why I became a football fan.

[@ByFaith747]

Gus Moreno same

[@mexiloco5]

Bro he is the reason I'm a chiefs fan to.

[@Bthefilmer]

I remember that reign he had. That was craziness watching him on Sundays.

[@chiefscentralprod]

Take Adrian Peterson's best three seasons: 5,343 Yards || 41 Total Touchdowns Take Priest Holmes's best three seasons: 6,566 Yards || 61 Total Touchdowns .... Not saying Priest is better than AP because he's not, but Priest was still a great player that seems to be underrated

[@stealthiscool]

that early to mid 2000s period was a golden age for running backs. LT, Holmes, Alexander, Williams, Westbrook, Dunn, Tiki Barber etc made me fall in love with the position

[@stealthiscool]

Edgerrin James too even though he benefited from Peyton and his Play action

[@aminebouanani65]

funny thing is he play 14 games a season so really he probarally is better

[@doncolethepoet]

How are u gonna prove he's clearly better than ap than say he's not

[@dinoguy562]

+Don Don Better than Ap in a 3 season span lmao Holmes had the injury and was never the same

[@tylerj8728]

Lets not forget about Big Tony Richardson the bulldozer he ran behind man oh man they don't make fullbacks like that anymore that dude was a brick wall.

[@callofdutyblackops9]

Have you not seen Anthony Sherman? The Chiefs fullback? I mean, he's not Tony Richardson, but the dude's nickname is "The Shermanator"

[@jeremyherman8652]

My favorite player of all time. It was special watching this guy when I was a kid. Can’t forget it.

[@vincentcoleman5317]

Eddie George, Warrick Dunn, was underrated as well

[@williebender1895]

Facts

[@erikpuka2627]

Eddie George was Hall of Fane caliber

[@PanamaJack3233]

San Antonio, TX'S finest. He always had camps for the kids back home. Hats off Mr. Holmes, your a HOF in my book.

[@Aim4daBusHiZ]

that oline was godlike back then, with Trent green they were always either number 1 or 2 offense to the colts... but hes a bit underrated yes

[@BigRedRIP]

Behind Will Shields and Willy Roaf, I could rush for 1,000 yards in a season. They would open HUGE gaps in the line.

[@tylerj8728]

The king of the goaline leap

[@edwinavila7823]

Tyler J That’s LT

[@muggzo8976]

Facts

[@thecensoredmuscle563]

@Fei Long Holmes had like a hundred of those flying and flipping over time line tds.

[@thecensoredmuscle563]

@@edwinavila7823 they played in the same era, Holmes was famous for doing that not LT. Lol

[@dillydilly9839]

Not taking anything away from Holmes...but he had one of the best offensive lines in history. Roaf, Shields, Weigman, Waters and Tait. One of the best blocking tight ends in Jason Dunn and one of the best blocking full backs in Tony Richardson. So yeah, just a phenomenal running game overall.

[@blacksmith44]

With all that talent, kinda makes you wonder why they didn't win a championship...-:)

[@shaneglenn4790]

@@blacksmith44 the defense was trash 🗑

[@erikpuka2627]

That was one of the top 5 offensive lines ever- certainly the best of the 21st century

[@lordblingpow]

Priest Holmes and Fred Taylor were my two favorite running backs to watch growing up!!

[@jweezus.]

this man is the reason my dad is a chiefs fan. my dads high school coach said he ran like priest holmes and my dad has been a chiefs fan ever since

[@Sizzle-zv3cp]

Yup it’s true. I watched your dad play and he did run like Patrick Mahomes

[@dwayne-161]

Another running bakk I was obsessed with watching on game day

[@E3litecompany]

Loved priest and his td celebration

[@edtunn3421]

I've been playing fantasy football since 2002 this dude was always on my radar one of the greatest ever played the game

[@eliseoaviles8018]

i remember watching him, hearing on the radio. he was the best, beast mode. thank you priest

[@mikepelletier7839]

Dude was unstoppable on NFL street

[@MilsurpMikeChannel]

Christian Okoye, Marcus Allen, Priest Holmes, Larry Johnson, Jamaal Charles, and now Kareem Hunt (not to mention Kimble Anders, Tony Richardson, and now Anthony Sherman at FB)... KC has been very blessed at RB over the last 30 years.

[@spurbronc9449]

Terrell Davis had 3 damn good years too. As well as Eric Dickerson. Dickerson had 1800 yards 3 of his first 4 years! Dickerson was incredible and 6 ft 3! LaDainian Tomlinson as well. One year he had 1600 rushing and caught 100 balls for over 700 yds. Another year had 28 TDs! He had two different 3 yr spans that were impressive! Emmitt Smith as well. With the exceptions of TDs, Barry Sanders flat out killed it rushing the ball. Its crazy cause the tough one running back era is long gone pretty much so we will never see those type of numbers again with multiple HOF backs

[@robertfoote5473]

My favorite all time Chief/running back!

[@SuperDre28]

Dude was so dominant a TD machine Go Chiefs

[@josephsmith7889]

When I get drunk and talk football, I always go on and on about this being the best running team in football history.

[@19Bearsfansince79]

unbelievable.... awesome!!

[@ILLaddict90]

One of my fave RB's of all-time

[@missionman4539]

One of my favorite all-time Chiefs

[@jbrody38]

He was my hero growing up.

[@lilbondeck100]

One of my fav RB in dem old madden games

[@CookiiBoii]

Love the recognition for Tony Richardson, loved him for my Jets at fullback

[@wholesomecomment45]

For those looking at the years he played, consider this. He missed all of 2006, did not even touch the ball in 1997 and in 2007 he only played in 4 games. What he did in the short time he played is simply amazing and I personally feel that he should've won a league MVP and should be in the Hall of Fame.

[@GN_RLuis]

He really is in the Hall of Fame He entered the hall of fame in 2014 7 years after his retirement

[@wholesomecomment45]

@@GN_RLuis He isn't in the NFL hall of fame

[@Supermanfan99]

I remember my 2002 fantasy team had Priest Holmes and Rich Gannon. I won with ease.

[@TrevorHamberger]

lmao

[@playoffexpert3938]

🐐

[@theolee3851]

Can you imagine this holmes behind maholmes in his prime. Wow would be insane😁😁😁👍

[@Jay-rx1hs]

I’ll never forget the day Anthony came to my neighborhood- autumn ridge in SA TX. We would always roll out 2 basketball hoops In the middle of the road to play full court. A buddy asked if he could bring his friend over to play- of course. Anthony showed up, mind u he was playing a Marshall high school at the time. I heard and read about him all the time was fire then too. I ran home as a 12 old grabbed a football asked him to sign in it up. Still have the football! Just crazy meeting him before he went on to the Longhorns/ Ravens (SB champion)/ then to my favorite team the chiefs. Super nice guy when he was tearing up high school football. Decent a b ball as well. Could jump sky high

[@ASUFAN-]

I'm a die hard BRONCOS fan but i have to give holmes his props, he was a BEAST👹

[@timsterling7847]

Priest Holmes the best underrated back to play for texas🤘🏿🤘🏿🤘🏿🤘🏿🤘🏿🤘🏿

[@old-flabbyman-thighs2367]

I'd say Earl Campbell's first 3 years were probably the most dominant by a running back because of the message he sent, he might not have had the most yards of all time, but he was someone who demoralized defenses because he was so physical and hard to tackle.

[@loffex2925]

This man is a beast

[@jasonsblank]

I was about to dispute the best 3 seasons thing with Eric Dickerson, but I just remembered that the 1985 season happened in between his run of 1800+ rushing yards a season from '83-'86

[@noahtindell4479]

I remember him because of NFL Street lol

[@kevinwolfe7976]

Favorite running back of all time

[@TheNostalgiaFiend]

My favorite running back. My favorite offense of all time overall. Great coach Vermeil..no defense though

[@kaybevang536]

Love playing him in the old madden games

[@clanka7708]

Fucking legend. I was a 99 baby so hes kinda before my day.. I know dad was a big fan of him

[@elijahf8]

Love Priest!

[@brianreid4567]

Priest Holmes was amazing 🥲

[@djquik182000]

Priest is one of my favorite RBs of all time

[@christopherjustice6411]

Priest Holmes was my favorite player growing up.

[@johnnydrama8709]

My favorite at one point

[@Iconhulk]

Priest Holmes !!!

[@daniel8602]

Needs a MUT card ASAP

[@thatsayomp5369]

Ikr they sleeping and jerome bettis needs a card

[@daniel8602]

+Tavin Smith yep, or Shaun Alexander

[@davidacosta1616]

+YOUR MAJESTY that's what I'm saying bro

[@SpaceGhostPurps]

+YOUR MAJESTY need a Lynch card too

[@icelandbelohuneven3351]

Fran Tarkento needs a damn MUT card.

[@1848revolt]

That man was a touchdown machine for a number of years. A monster. In my eyes a hofer just for those three years.

[@TheSaltBoiCometh]

Priest Holmes, Tony Gonzales and Dante Hall plus three of the offensive lineman were hall of famers. That offense was deadly

[@thecensoredmuscle563]

Dante Hall was a return specialist. For receiving he never even had a 500 yard year.

[@artismcqueen2147]

Thanks 😊😊😊 You N FL

[@bryonwatkins1432]

Never knew this about Holmes!

[@fluid_thoughts2782]

I'll never forget that guy. Beast mode before Seattle beast mode!

[@E3litecompany]

I loved that chiefs team on madden 03-04 lol

[@henryshaw]

Fav player growing up...HOW BOUT THOSE CHIIIIIIEFSSS

[@_sinisterbeatz_]

That O Line was legendary led by Willie Roaf and Will Shields

[@frankhortoniv3739]

He was a monster.

[@ViceJupiter]

Awesome. Underrated. Maybe he'll get a golden jacket soon. Who knows.

[@TeeRav-pv1jg]

One of my fav rbs of all time and I’m a skins fan #httr

[@ARIZJOE]

The cat was like Jim Brown in effectiveness. Numbers don't lie. The fact that Holmes was behind Ricky Williams at Texas, and that he had injury problems obscured how good he was. That goes to show how important luck is in life, and being in the right place.

[@nathangalindo7628]

Man was a straight goon one of my all time fav players

[@alexanderblackburn4520]

We also had one of the greatest lines of all time, seriously though, that O line doesn't get enough credit. When Brian waters gets over looked, it shows you how good they were. Even LJ was spectacular with that line

[@Iconhulk]

Undrafted! CHIEFS PRIEST HOLMES !!!

[@roxstrongo8961]

I'm a long time Chiefs Fan and Priest was my favorite all time HB past or present, I really feel the same for Jamaal Charles who I believe might be on his way out of KC :(

[@ryaneugenelawrencewalls1987]

Priest Holmes was such a beast after he won the super bowl ring in 2000 but in Kansas City he'd became even better for all the right reasons he wanted to be great and by damn he was greater he should be in the Hall Of Fame end of story

[@christopherjohnson1873]

Remember, though, that the Chiefs offensive line back then was one of the best of all time. That always needs to be considered.

[@jackson5781]

Christopher Johnson think that when it comes to emmitt smith

[@christopherjohnson1873]

Jackson Anderson Of course.

[@samuelrobert4083]

Emmitt's line was only good from 1990 to 1995, afterwards it went downhill with retirement, trading and injuries (Stepnoski traded to the Texans, Williams was injured with car accident, Newton and Tuinei were both in their mid-30s). If anything, Holmes line was even better but people don't remember than. Why, there the Cowboys. Even today this still happens. People say Zeke is overrated due to his line have 3 pro-bowlers even thought Bell and Murray have the same amount on their team.

[@jackson5781]

+Samuel Robert only 3 guys i have seen that will have my props. Holmes, Charles and Barry. it took Emmitt 5 years to catch up to Barry. you do this kind of production in 3 years let alone undrafted, you have more talent than people think. Charles best ypc ever and Barry only played 10 years and made everyone look stupid

[@jackson5781]

+Christopher Johnson please emmitt took 5 more years than barry sanders and barry made people look stupid. i only think of 3 backs that are elite. holmes, charles and Barry. charles has more ypc than anyone. thats during my time. as far as all time i didnt see much of others. emmitt i did see and he didnt impress me

[@Judgedredd1973]

Don't forget about Christian Okoye from Tecmo Bowl!

[@Ascared]

Remember Larry Johnson?

[@anitasquire9700]

Yep tailgated with him at home opener

[@jamesbutler783]

hitek9wittafulclip Not the basketball player 😑

[@DevinSheaProductions]

I was at the game where he won the record. 8 touchdowns against Vick during his best year.

[@benlenti196]

If you ever played street 2 on the original Xbox or ps2 then you will never forget priest Holmes and getting your ass handed to you by the computer because of him. Dude was unreal in that game

[@kiarajames3932]

Holmes was unbelievable in that stretch. As good as Terrell Davis stretch or any other back. He should be in Hall of Fame. He didn’t have length of career but he was by far the top back in NFL with Faulk during that run & it’s not even close

[@caseydavisimagery]

Hall of Fame! F' longevity. He was unstoppable.

[@E3litecompany]

Goat

[@bigchief4660]

The Big💪Chief Priest Holmes

[@BigfatKuntWiener]

I’m going Emmitt from ‘94-‘96 as the best three year stretch ever from a RB….he had 62 TDS in that 3 year span and grabbed a ring in that stretch something that Priest didn’t do with an extremely loaded team almost as loaded as Emmitts Cowboys

[@maxfreeman1852]

I recall many times seeing Priest disappear in a crowd and then pop out and score. He was amazing but You have to admit ..He had One of The BEST O LINES in History

[@ShadomanG]

RB is my FAV position. The toughest position to play as u virtually get hit EVERY play. There are so MANY great backs of whom are forgotten that had amazing careers. Holmes, Edgerin James, Corey Dillion, Fred Taylor, Frank Gore, Eddie George, Ricky Waters, Thomas Jones, Steven Jackson, Jamal Lewis, Ricky Williams (for other reasons). ALL of these men are far above 10K career rushing but NOT in the HOF smh

[@jarberwoks8399]

That oline for the Chiefs were unmatched during his time with running for them.

[@NewWaveFan1]

Priest was a gamer. Underrated running back in Madden 2000.

[@ninersdd21]

My first ever fantasy pick!

[@joeydiaz3009]

Priest Holmes was a beast

[@kevinjohnson1630]

He was a product of the best offensive line ever. Larry johnson also had 2 monster seasons after him. Larry johnson had 1750 yards in the first season and 1789 rushing yards in the 2nd season with 17 rushing tds the first year and 20 rushing tds the 2nd season. Priest holmes never had 1700 yards rushing in a single season.