Page 9 - Florida Sentinel 1-22-21

Local
Chamberlain High Grad
County Commissioner
Brad Holmes Is New GM
Myers Collaborates With
Churches For Faith-Based
BY GWEN HAYES Sentinel Editor
Tampa resident and re- tired USF/Hillsborough Community College educa- tor, Dr. Joan Holmes, was overjoyed Wednesday (Janu- ary 13th) when she learned that her son, Brad Holmes, had been named General Manager (GM) for the Na- tional Football League’s (NFL) Detroit Lions. He was one of about 12 candidates who interviewed for the posi- tion.
Dr. Holmes said she could hardly contain herself when her son casually told her that he had been offered the GM job.
Holmes, 41, becomes the 2nd African American in De- troit Lions history to hold the title of General Manager. Martin Mayhew held the position, 2009-2015.
Holmes spent much of his youth here in Hillsbor- ough County, graduating from Chamberlain High School. He was also affiliated with Tyrone Keys’ All Sports Community Service (ASCS). He went off to North Carolina A&T University, where he studied Journalism and Mass Communication.
Keys, too, was overjoyed at the news after having Holmes as a part of his or- ganization. “I recall him say- ing when he became a scout that his goal was to be- come a GM one day of an NFL team. This is a true tes- tament of belief and faith. It’s great to witness his dream come true and for African
BRAD HOLMES ...New General Manager For Detroit Lions
American youth to see a dream fulfilled,” Keys said.
Holmes will be leaving the Los Angeles Rams, where he has worked since 2003. He started there as a P. R. in- tern and worked his way up the ladder, until being pro- moted to College Scouting in 2013. He has been a part of the decision- making of the Rams’ draft for the past 8 years.
This year, Brad will be leading the Lions’ Draft.
The Lions reached an agreement on a five-year con- tract with Holmes after in- terviewing him for a second time
With the NFL’s new rule to add incentives to the de- velopment of minority candi- dates, the Rams will receive two compensatory third- round draft picks when Holmes’ hiring is official.
Holmes is no stranger to football – it’s in his family. His father, the late Mel Holmes, was a former of- fensive lineman with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Holmes, right, an alum of ASCS, with Tyrone Keys, founder of ASCS.
And, he is the nephew of (the late) Luther Bradley (his mother’s brother), the first-round pick of the Detroit Lions back in 1978. Bradley spent his entire NFL career with the Lions.
Holmes former college coach at North Carolina A&T University, Bill Hayes, said his former player (offensive lineman) and team captain has natural leadership ability, calling him a ‘team guy.’
According to news ac- counts, Holmes is expected to team with owner Sheila Ford Hamp, president Rod Wood and adviser Chris Spielman to pick the next Lions coach.
Keys’ words about Holmes: “The Dream of the Apple Seed is to become an Apple Tree to shine after its own kind to never compro- mise the DIVINE: the Dream of becoming GM of his fa- vorite team, the Detriot Lions.”
About his position, Holmes told Sports Illus- trated, “It was just a first- class process every step of the way with the dialogue, all the way up to (last) Wednesday when I was awarded the job. It’s been first class and it just felt right.
“I know the general man- ager role and that’s the name of the position, but I truly see it as a service role. My No. 1 job is to serve the City of De- troit, a No. 1 football product and hopefully uplift the com- munity in that regard.”
BY GWEN HAYES Sentinel Editor
The local health depart- ment is working with County Commissioner Gwen Myers and other partners (Hillsborough County Government and City of Tampa) to plan a vaccina- tion event for Sunday, Janu- ary 24, 2021, at Greater Bethel M. B. Church, Inc.
In order to cover more of the community, Comm. Myers reached out to pas- tors of other churches so that more of the community would be covered.
“So many people have been calling my office about the vaccination. And, the Governor (Ron DeSantis) has said that he wants the vaccine to get to more places in the Black community. I reached out to the Health Dept. to see how we could be of assistance,” she explained.
The Faith-based churches participating in this initiative are: Greater Bethel, Mt. Olive AME, New Mt. Zion, Victory at St. James AME, Catherdal
COUNTY COMMISSIONER GWEN MYERS
of Faith, 34th Street Church of God, College Hill Church of God In Christ, Pilgrim Rest, Allen Temple AME, Beulah Baptist Institutional and Re- Birth M.B. Church. This ini- tiative will serve 600 people within community. Each church will receive a limited number of doses for their members ages 65 year old and older.
Comm. Myers further stated, “I am elated to lead this effort to insure the Black churches/community is served for COVID-19. This is just the beginning, as I plan to coordinate with other Black churches and the com- munity to receive the vaccine soon.”
For Detroit Lions
Vaccination Initiative
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