Chiefs Shields and Holmes to be Honored by NFLPA

Apr 05, 2005, 4:54:47 AM

This week’s NFL Players Gridiron Gala will once again have a Kansas City Chiefs flavor. That’s because G Will Shields and RB Priest Holmes will each receive recognition for their tremendous efforts both on and off the field. Held in Washington, D.C. the evening of Thursday, April 7th, the event will once again be hosted by Fox Sports personality James Brown.

Shields will be recognized with a “JB Award” in the arena of “building stronger communities and families.” Shields will garner this accolade due to the fact that he is a finalist for the 39th annual Byron “Whizzer” White Award. Shields joins notable NFL performers such as Alan Faneca (Pittsburgh), Peyton Manning (Indianapolis), Deuce McAllister (New Orleans), Ricky Proehl (Carolina), Marco Rivera (Green Bay), Junior Seau (Miami), Grant Wistrom (Seattle), and Bryant Young (San Francisco) as finalists for the NFLPA’s highest humanitarian honor. Should Shields be honored with the “Whizzer” White, he will join a fraternity of fellow members of the Red and Gold such as Derrick Thomas (1995), Nick Lowery (1993), and Deron Cherry (1988) that have received the award. No other team in the NFL has had more players honored than those three members of the Chiefs.

This prestigious award is named to commemorate the spirit of Hall of Fame inductee Justice Byron “Whizzer” White. A remarkable athlete who exemplified leadership on and off the field through his humanitarian efforts and his public service achievements, White eventually became a Justice of the United States Supreme Court after his playing days had ended.

Holmes will also be taking home a “JB.” The Texas native is being recognized with the honor for “teamwork.” Holmes, who has rewritten the Chiefs record book during his four-year stay in Kansas City, is a tireless professional who instantaneously became a leader in the locker room thanks to his team-first approach.

Proceeds from the Gala benefit Special Olympics DC, an organization dedicated to providing year-round training and athletic competition in sports for individuals with development disabilities.

The event will be packaged into a one-hour television special, profiling the player honorees, that is set to air on Fox Sports Net nationally in early August.

– CHIEFS IN THE COMMUNITY, JOIN OUR TEAM –