Saturday, October 15, 2011

Holmes, Corey

Player: Corey Holmes
Born: November 11, 1976
College: Mississippi Valley State
Years with the Riders: 2001-2005, 2007
Cards acquired: Through the Mail (TTM) in 2003 and 2004.

The next three entries will be Plaza of Honour tributes.  October 14, 2011 featured the induction of three new players in the Saskatchewan Roughriders Plaza of Honour - the team's Hall of Fame.  Corey Holmes is one of this group to be inducted.

Corey joined the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2001 seeing limited action.  In 2002, Corey lead the league in total return yards and punt return yards.  Corey also finished second in kickoff return yardage.  This performance led to Corey being named a Western All-Star, CFL All-Star and winning the Most Outstanding Special Teams Award.  From 2003 to 2005, Corey would continue to be the team's main returner but also saw more action in the regular offense - including two very successful seasons in 2004 and 2005.  In 2005, Corey would again win the Most Outstanding Special Teams Award.  In 2006, he was traded to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats to enable the Riders to draft Kerry Joseph in the Ottawa Renegades dispersal draft.  Midway through 2007, the Riders would reacquire Corey on their way to the Grey Cup Championship.  After 2007, Corey would be released and would effectively retire from the CFL.  Corey would retire having the 2nd most punt returns (274), the most punt return yards (3,440), the most punt return touchdowns (5), the most kickoff returns (185), and the most kickoff return yards (4,077).  He's easily the greatest kicker returner in Saskatchewan Roughrider history.

After leaving the CFL, Corey spent the following season coaching a high school football team and then ran for mayor of Metcalfe, Mississippi winning in 2009.

I was always a huge fan of Corey when he wore Green and White.  Whenever he touched the ball, he was electric on the field.  It's good to see him getting this recognition by the team for all his contributions.  Welcome back Corey!!  If only for a short time.

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