Football: Muir's Holmes the epitome of true perseverance
By Miguel A. Melendez, Staff Writer
Karl Holmes Jr. met his father for the first time when he was 5 years old. He was 11 by the time he saw him again.
In December, the Muir senior will drive to San Quentin State Prison to visit Holmes Sr., 35, who's spent the last 15 years on Death Row along with Lorenzo Newborn and Herbert McClain for their conviction in the killings of three Pasadena children on Halloween night in 1993.
Holmes' mother, Wanda Martin, wasn't a constant presence until just two years ago, when Holmes moved in with her, he said. She was in and out of his life, and Holmes during that time was under the care of his uncle, former Muir star running back Darick Holmes.
With seemingly every excuse in the book to turn his back on life, Holmes decided he wouldn't be just another statistic. In spite of his parent's troubled history, success became Holmes' only option.
The 6-foot-4 star wide receiver for the Mustangs football team will play in front of thousands at 7 tonight in the 57th annual Turkey Tussle at the Rose Bowl. Holmes said he'll think of his father's words, to make the most of the moment and the opportunities that lay before him.
Holmes will withstand the cold November air and soak in the roaring crowd before making his way out of the dark tunnel. It's more than a moment, it's a way of life.
Holmes' upbringing in northwest Pasadena was a struggle, with pressure and influence from gangs at nearly every turn. If not for his uncle, Holmes said, he's not sure what would've happened to him.
"You see on TV the stories about examples of people who made it," Holmes said, "but to have someone here, physically in front of you, who is family that you can look up to, means the world to me and makes me feel absolutely blessed."
Darick graduated from Muir in 1989 before stops at Mt. San Antonio College and Pasadena City College led him to Portland State. He was drafted in the seventh round (244th overall) by the Buffalo Bills in the 1995 NFL Draft, and went on to play for the Green Bay Packers and Indianapolis Colts before his season was cut short because of ankle injuries.
Darick draws from his own experience - successful or otherwise - when mentoring Holmes. Darick, while a sophomore at Pasadena, spent 10 months in a juvenile camp. He said his affiliation with the wrong group brought him trouble. Realizing his potential, Darick made a stronger effort to remain focused.
He's more than just the uncle who played in the NFL. He's a father figure.
"He's done so much for me," Holmes said. "He has his own family to take care of, but yet helps me anytime I need him. He's always been there to support me."
Holmes talks to his father about four times a month. They mostly talk about sports and rarely ever, if at all, talk about how and why he landed in jail.
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"He knew that his father was away incarcerated," said Darick, now a running backs and special teams coach at Muir, "but we didn't tell him why."
Two years ago, Holmes said a friend called to tell him he'd seen a clip of an episode from the History Channel's "Gangland."
"He said, `Oh, they just mentioned your dad's name, Karl Holmes, and the guy looks a little like you,' " Holmes said.
Not long after that, Holmes was home one night flipping through channels when he stumbled across that very same episode.
"I caught it from the very beginning to the end," Holmes recalled. "That's when I really found out."
What Holmes found out was that his father, 19 at the time, was among the group involved in the killing of Edgar Evans, 13, Reginald Crawford and Stephen Coats, both 14. The teenagers, with no connection to the ongoing warfare between Crips and Bloods, were walking home from a party carrying candy bags. Three other boys were wounded in the ambush attack that was a case of mistaken identity.
Holmes' father currently is filing an appeal and receiving help from the Innocence Project, Darick said. Regardless of the outcome, Holmes wonders what would have been if his father was physically around to play catch with him, teach him how to drive or even something as simple as learning how to shave.
Holmes recalls his first visit to San Quentin.
"I was a baby when I went," he said. "I remember they told me they don't feed them well, so I went to the vending machines and bought a bunch of stuff like Hot Pockets and stuff. Man, he destroyed them when he saw them."
His first visit was more about getting to know his dad. The second two-hour visit focused on sports. Holmes lets his father know he's ambitious, telling him specific goals he's set out for his future.
Next semester, Holmes will take a sociology and speech class at PCC while juggling high school classes, too. He said he wants to raise his 2.8 GPA to at least a 3.2, and has applied to Jackson State, Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo, Arizona State, Arizona and Colorado State.
"Since he was a kid, you knew he was something special," Darick said. "He talked a lot on the football field, but you knew that if he set his mind on something, he would accomplish it."
Holmes' ultimate goal is to reach the NFL, but along the way he's set out small goals to get there. He runs track, and already he's receiving interest from said schools. Holmes would like to earn a football scholarship and later walk on to the track team. Regardless, he's set his mind on majoring in history, and the reason's simple.
"My teachers made it fun and they made it interesting for me," Holmes said, quickly mentioning Muir history teachers Manuel Rustin and Mike Harrison, who also doubles as Darick's godfather and is "like a grandfather" to Holmes.
When it's all said and done, Holmes said, he wants to return and teach at Muir, where it all started for him - but not just teach.
"I want to be an athletic director, coach the Pasadena Ponies and coach the Mustangs," he said. "I want to come back and give back to my community, and show kids in the future that they can make it, no matter how they grew up."
The questions, however, will be inevitable when future friends and mentors ask about his upbringing and his parents.
"I'll tell them I lived with my mom and that my uncle was like a father figure to me," he said. "I won't get into detail with them about my dad, because they don't really have to know. At the same time, it's also something I don't hide, because I feel I have nothing to hide."
Holmes said he sometimes catches himself thinking about his own kids and how he'll raise them. Holmes said the simple idea that he'll be around to watch them grow up is special to him.
"My dad doesn't think I'm taller than him," said Holmes with a wide smile. "But he'll see when I see him and we stand back-to-back."
Holmes' grandmother, Erma Martin, often reminds him that he's blessed, regardless of what anyone else might say.
"She always tells me," Holmes said, " `Boy, when you make it, you're gonna have a story to tell.'
"If it all goes according to plan, I'll make her and my whole family proud."
miguel.melendez@sgvn.com
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About this blog
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Melendez worked as a correspondent for the San Gabriel Valley Tribune for three years and later landed a job as a freelance writer at the Los Angeles Times before accepting an offer at The Orange County Register covering high schools. Melendez covered Major League Soccer at The Register for three years before being promoted to report on the Lakers, Angels and Dodgers for the Web. Melendez also worked for the Daytona Beach News-Journal, Fresno Bee, Oakland Tribune and The Boston Globe. E-mail opinions, suggestions and tips to miguel.melendez@sgvn.com. |
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spot on
I've been saying that for a while
ur making it bro. proud of u
srry that life is like than but like my mom always says family is family and always stay together no matter what goes on to brake that up ...hope that he gets to go see his father soon n best wishes from your truly miichyy
We still live in a society where people like Stang03 exist. The man explained himself. Get a life.
I'm familiar with some of the staff writers at the Star News and believe, truly, that none of them harbor any ill will towards the youth of Pasadena.
Aram's comment, obviously, a little to honest and maybe true in some respects, maintains a lesson that we all should be mindful of when we speak of supporting our youth. If we want them to do well, we, especially adults, must give them that which we all want, respect...regardless of their family histories or associations.
The youth of Pasadena is this cities greatest resource. This young man talk of contributing back to his hometown is proof posivitive. Let's remember that.
Laurence Todd
President
www.pasadenasportshalloffame.org
aram misspoke... relax and get your panties out of a bunch
Aram, what would have been your opinion? "Glad i didnt know"? Thats distasteful... Funny to me we still live in society where persons like Aram exist.
Sorry you guys are taking it as an insult. Wasn't meant that way at all. I was just simply saying that people form opinions without ever having met someone. We're all guilty of it.
Like I said, I was nothing but impressed the times I've spoken to Karl.
If you guys want to keep putting too much on it, be my guest.
After reading Aram's comment it makes his time on "our" blog more understandable if ultimately regrettable.
He is a child by any meausre of the term. I've told him this many times and finally he's come clean.
How disgusting to make that admission.
Aram, a "child" should never suffer because of the "actions" of a parent. Thought you knew.
What an incredible short sighted admission om your part.
Par for the course Aram.
Great article Miguel. I know your best work is when you dig deep and do your Mom proud. Every writer has a "voice"....please continue to do great journalism.
Aram, your silence speaks volumes. At least you're a journalist who is biased toward the youth of Pasadena. Your attempt to recover from the insult to this young man was poor to say the least.
P.S.
It's not funny.
STANGS FAMILY ALWAYS STICK TOGETHER...another great article on a great young man wearing BLUE & GOLD...
Lets Go Stangs!!!
Hey Aram what did you mean by your comment."if i had known about karl's dad you wouldn't had talked to him". To me it sound like your saying any kid who parents have a bad background and you know about it you wouldn't give them your time at all no matter how good the kid is doing in life. I could be wrong help me understand...
To Karl Holmes Jr.,
At the end of the day...only you can make a difference in your life. With prayer and knowing how to cope with life's challenges to your best ability and having compassion for other people...your life will be worth living. Examine your mind to the greatest pontential.
Good Luck Karl Holmes Jr. and hope to see you on Sundays.
See you at the game tonight.
Coach Alonso
Maranatha HS D-Line coach
(PHS-1988)
Karl, keep your head up and keep striving for excellence. you are a winner, and great things lie ahead for you in life.
Aram said:
"It's kind of funny, but had I known this about Karl's dad before I talked to him, I would've had a totally different opinion. And I probably wouldn't have talked to him."
Not sure your admission of not talking to a youth who has done nothing wrong is a compliment or an insult. Is that really how you writers at the paper think or decide who to write about? Do not do us any favors, please.
My family and the Holmes family go way back (in fact, his dad's/uncle's mom (Rest in Peace, Gene) rented my limo for prom in 1985- small world).
The Homes family has always perservered;no matter the challenge. No matter the obstacle. I'm not at all surprised of Karl's drives and ambitions.
Good luck, Karl.
Laurence Todd
President
www.pasadenasportshalloffame.org
Well written article! Keep these positive articles coming! Praise God for D. Holmes and others in the Dena community who will take young men under there wings and be a positive role model and influence for them! Best wishes and many blessing to come for Karl Holmes Jr. He is creating his own Legacy, which thus far is a good one!
From a Dena Dog, Keep your head up young man. I wish you much success in life.And, yes make the best of EVERY moment..........
It's kind of funny, but had I known this about Karl's dad before I talked to him, I would've had a totally different opinion. And I probably wouldn't have talked to him.
But I'm glad I didn't know, because Karl is one of the most likable kids around. What his dad did was a horrible thing, but this just shows you can't hold Karl accountable for his dad's actions. You gotta take everybody for who they are and nothing else.
Karl is a legit talent and I hope he gets everything he wants out of football.
Good story, Miggy.