The North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame welcomes 11 new members

RALLY

Winning the Super Cup as a newcomer.

Create numerous Pro Bowls.

Setting NFL records.

Become a parent.

All these moments changed the life of Tori Holt, those who hold a special place in his heart and whom he will always cherish.

On Friday, Holt added another monumental point to the list: former NC state and wide-ranger St. Louis Reims was one of 11 new winners at the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame.

For what he did in the NFL, Holt, who retired in 2012, is still recognized as one of the greatest Rams receivers ever. Although the NFL Hall of Fame still shuns him, being recognized in the state where he grew up is as good as it turns out.

“It’s special because it’s a house,” Holt said. “North Carolina is the place where I was born and raised, it is the roots of who I am. I grew up looking at ACC sports – Michael Jordan, Len Bias, James Worthy, Fire and Ice – just a great talent at ACC, here in North Carolina, that inspired me to want to do athletics. ”

Great game Holt

Holt grew up in Gibsonville, North Carolina, where hard labor in his spare time pushed him to jail to find a way out.

“I pulled out tobacco,” Holt said in the rostrum during Media Day in the Hall of Fame. “I swore I would never go back to that field, I have to do something in sports.”

With that motivation, Holt thrived on another field. At the time of retirement, Holt was 10th in NFL history with 13,382 receiving yards and 13th with 920 catches.

He said that in those days smoking tobacco strengthened his arms and forearms, which affected his pass fishing skills.

“I respect the fact that I did it,” Holt said. “Because it made me who I am today.”

Holt caught 869 passes for 12,660 yards and 74 touchdowns from Rams, who picked him at No. 6 overall in 1999. In the seven-time Pro Bowl selection, Holt was the main All-Pro team in 2003. That season he caught 117 passes on 1,696 yards and 12 touchdowns. Holt topped the NFL in all three of those categories that season.

Holt helped lead Reims to the Super Bowl title in his opening season by catching seven passes for 109 yards and one touchdown. Led by Hall of Fame defender Kurt Warner, back-back Marshall Falk and wide-ranging receiver Isaac Bruce Holt was an important part of “The Greatest Show on the Grass.”

As a newcomer, Holt caught 52 assists on 788 yards and scored six points. He had at least 80 catches in eight consecutive seasons. Holt is a record holder in several categories, including seasons with 1,300 yards (6), seasons with at least 90 catches (6) and seasons with 1,600 yards (two draws with four other players).

Holt, who started 147 games for Rams, is the second in the franchise’s history in receptions (869), yard receptions (12,660) and touchdowns (74).

The Gibsonville native was named ACC Player of the Year in 1998 after catching 88 passes on 1,604 yards and 11 touchdowns. He is currently sixth on the list of ACC career admission yards.

Return to the community

After graduating from the NFL, Holt returned to North Carolina. Although his playing time in his home state ended in 1998 when he left Raleigh, his presence is still felt throughout the triangle.

For several years he was an assistant football coach at Heritage High School. He and his brother Terence, who also played for NC State, run Holt Brothers Construction.

Their mother, Odget Holt-Schoffner, died of cancer when the brothers were younger. They then founded the Holt Brothers Foundation. Part of the fund is a weekend in June with several activities, including golf and football tournaments, that help in their mission to support children who have a guardian or parents with cancer.

“It’s even better because we’re home,” Holt said. “We are in the state in which we grew up. I tell people you don’t need to leave the house to be well. North Carolina and Raleigh are always at home and I think that makes it a lot more special. ”

For the family

Holt comes from a long line of athletes, from his grandmother to his father, to his aunt.

Growth and sports in Gibsonville were just a way of life. Holt appreciates the fact that his loved ones are still around and have witnessed his playing career and everything he has done since the NFL. He feels he is taking them with him to the Hall of Fame.

“So they can see how their son and grandson continue their sports traditions,” Holt said. “For them to be able to go with me is special.”

Holt mentioned that it is not easy to get to the NC Sports Hall of Fame, it has only 300 and more prize-winners for all time.

“Being in office is a reminder that you did it at the highest level,” Holt said. “It’s hard, man. Some people say it’s just local, no, it’s a tough class, a tough fraternity to enter because there are so many wonderful athletes coming through North Carolina. If I am introduced now, it gives me some confirmation that I am fine. “

Sports Glory Class NC 2022