New York Giants rookie Darnay Holmes isn’t your average fourth-round pick. In fact, Holmes isn’t your average person.
There’s motivation and then there’s whatever it is that helps propel Holmes through life. Some of that comes from an up-and-down childhood, some of it comes from the golden advice shared by loved ones and some of it is just naturally ingrained.
The overall combination has served Holmes well, and will likely to continue to serve him well in New York.
“Being around him made it really easy to fall in love with football,” Holmes said of his father in a recent penned for The Players’ Tribune. “And it’s honestly the only thing I’ve ever wanted to do with my life — excel in high school, distinguish myself in college, and then make it to the league, just like Pops.”
Darnay’s father, Darick Holmes, played for the Buffalo Bills, Green Bay Packers and Indianapolis Colts over the course of his five-year NFL career. He appeared in 60 games, gained nearly 2,400 yards from scrimmage and scored 12 total touchdowns.
Unfortunately, post-NFL life wasn’t as successful for Darick and his family.
“My pops was still alive, but he was in bad shape,” Holmes said, recalling the moments after his father was shot during a drug deal gone wrong. Darnay was only in fourth grade.
“[He was] in a state I never ever expected to see him in. He had been shot seven times. Seven. And he was hooked up to a bunch of machines that were helping him stay alive.”
Darnay changed his whole way of thinking that day, and although he had to endure further hardships in college, he never let it impact his desire to reach the NFL and play at a high level.
“Even after he recovered, I was changed. I think it was because I realized you really can’t take anything for granted — from what you can order off a menu to life itself. You have to act and live with purpose. No matter how high you make it, your decisions can take you down. Nothing is given,” Holmes wrote.
A serious ankle injury limited Holmes during his junior season at UCLA and ultimately hurt his draft stock, but given everything he had been through, it was easy to weather that storm. And although he didn’t go as early as he would have liked in the 2020 NFL Draft, Holmes could not be happier about starting his career with the Giants in New York/New Jersey.
“After I was selected, [my family and I] did a little champagne toast and my dad said something that stuck with me,” Holmes wrote. “‘New York is a place where you’re going to be under a lot of pressure. The fans there love their football and demand winning.’ Then he raised his glass. ‘This is going to be the toughest challenge you’ve ever faced, but Son, you were built for this. Embrace it. Now it’s time to put your head down and get to work!’
“I couldn’t have said it better myself.
“See you soon, New York.”
[lawrence-related id=646486,646498,646477]