John Holifield Explained

John Holifield
Number:40[1]
Position:Running back
Birth Date:July 14, 1964
Birth Place:Romulus, Michigan, U.S.
Height Ft:6
Height In:0
Weight Lb:202
College:West Virginia
Draftyear:1987
Draftround:12
Draftpick:328[2]
Pastteams:
Pfr:H/HoliJo20

Johnathan Mark Holifield (born July 14, 1964) was an American football running back for the Cincinnati Bengals. He played college football at West Virginia.

Football career

High school

Holifield played high school football at Romulus High School in Romulus, Michigan.

College

Holifield arrived at West Virginia in 1983. During his first two seasons as a Mountaineer, 1983 and 1984, Holifield accumulated 388 yards and 5 touchdowns.

Holifield earned the starting running back job in 1984, as a junior. He rushed for 595 yards and 6 touchdowns, along with a receiving score, that season. In 1986, Holifield was elected team captain and totaled his best season statistically. He rushed for 645 yards and 3 touchdowns his final season as a Mountaineer.

Professional

Holifield was drafted in the 12th round of the 1987 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals.[3] He was a member of the AFC Champion Cincinnati Bengals in 1988 and played 3 games for the Cincinnati Bengals in the 1989 season. He was released in 1990.[4]

After football

Having received a bachelor's degree in political science in 1987, Holifield earned a law degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Law in 1996. He practiced law for five years, as a prosecutor in Cincinnati and in private practice by 1999. Afterwards, Holifield became involved in economic development.

In 2006, Holifield became CEO of the Olmsted Parks Conservancy in Buffalo, New York.[5] In 2007, Holifield was picked to lead the Urban League of Greater Cleveland.[6] [7]

On September 18, 2017, Holifield was named executive director of the White House initiative on historically black colleges and universities.[8] [9]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: John Holifield - The Pro Football Archives. www.profootballarchives.com.
  2. Web site: John Holifield College Stats - College Football at Sports-Reference.com. College Football at Sports-Reference.com.
  3. Web site: 1987 NFL Draft Listing . 2023-10-01 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
  4. News: Furfari. Micki. FURFARI COLUMN: John Holifield was fine running back at WVU in 1980s. September 18, 2017. Times West Virginian. October 27, 2015. Fairmont, West Virginia.
  5. News: Holifield takes parks position in Buffalo. September 18, 2017. Cincinnati Business Courier. May 30, 2006.
  6. News: Fink. James. Holifield leaving Buffalo. September 18, 2017. Buffalo Business First. September 21, 2007. Buffalo, New York.
  7. News: Former Bengal Holifield to head Urban League. September 18, 2017. Akron Beacon Journal. Associated Press. September 22, 2007. Akron, Ohio.
  8. News: Berry. Deborah Barfield. White House names Johnathan Holifield as head of HBCU project. September 18, 2017. USA Today. September 18, 2017.
  9. News: Duster . Chandelis R. . White House names former NFL player Johnathan Holifield HBCU initiative director . July 2, 2022 . NBC News . September 18, 2017 . en.