Detroit Lions’ Black GM Seems To Redefine NFL Entrance Workplaces

[ad_1] by Jeroslyn JoVonn September 28, 2025

Detroit Lions GM Brad Holmes is working to make NFL entrance places of work extra numerous and reflective of their gamers and communities.

Detroit Lions GM Brad Holmes is leveraging his success to diversify NFL entrance places of work and higher replicate gamers and the communities they signify.

Since being employed because the Lions GM in 2021, Holmes has turn into the third Black GM in NFL historical past, following Ozzie Newsome and Jerry Reese, each of whom have supported him alongside the best way. Now, with six Black GMs within the league, together with Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, Ryan Poles, Andrew Berry, Chris Grier, and Terry Fontenot, Holmes has launched initiatives and recruitment efforts aimed toward growing Black illustration in NFL entrance places of work.

“It’s so many paths you could take, and it doesn’t must be simply enjoying or teaching,” Holmes instructed ESPN. “… We want extra Black [team] presidents. So, what can we do on our half to offer others alternatives to turn into a [team] president?”

Holmes’ confirmed monitor report as a GM made him a standout rent following his success with the Los Angeles Rams. Because the second Black GM in Lions historical past, Holmes, alongside coach Dan Campbell, orchestrated probably the most outstanding turnarounds in latest NFL reminiscence, main Detroit to consecutive playoff appearances in 2023 and 2024, together with an NFC Championship Sport in 2023 and a franchise-record 15 wins final season, largely pushed by gamers he drafted, signed, or acquired.

His success in Detroit follows his 18 seasons within the Rams’ entrance workplace, rising from a public relations intern in 2003 to director of school scouting. There, he performed a key function in drafting Jared Goff, Aaron Donald, and Cooper Kupp, cornerstones of the Rams’ Tremendous Bowl appearances in 2019 and 2022. Even in his first season with Detroit, Rams GM Les Snead credited Holmes for serving to assemble the roster that received Tremendous Bowl LVI.

When constructing his Lions entrance workplace, Holmes prioritized hiring Black executives he knew had been prepared for greater roles. He chosen former NFL participant Ray Agnew as assistant GM after 4 years working with Holmes because the Rams’ director of professional scouting. Holmes additionally created the Scouting Development Division in 2021, appointing Mike Martin to steer the unit centered on enhanced faculty and professional scouting.

Martin has since moved on to turn into Notre Dame soccer’s basic supervisor, reflecting Holmes’ dedication to creating Black leaders past the enjoying area and training ranks.

“I simply strive to ensure guys are able to succeed,” Holmes stated, additionally citing the Fritz Pollard Alliance for serving to him and different minority candidates land alternatives in teaching, entrance workplace, and scouting. “And look, they’ve gotta be certified. Black, white, brown, purple … no matter coloration. They’ve gotta be certified and good regardless.”

Constructing on his legacy, Holmes laun ched the Wally Triplett Fellowship in fall 2024, a program that gives two minority faculty college students with hands-on expertise in skilled sports activities and front-office roles. Named for Lions legend Wally Triplett, the primary African American drafted to play within the NFL in 1949, the fellowship options 4 six-month rotations throughout the group.

Present fellows Alexis Williams (Notre Dame) and Myles Gresham (Saginaw Valley State) are of their second 12 months, gaining expertise in advertising and marketing, stadium occasions, workforce operations, company partnerships, and neighborhood relations.

“Do all these rotations to offer these experiences exterior of simply teaching and scouting so these had been among the issues we needed to do to ensure we had been giving different youngsters an opportunity,” Holmes stated.

As a Black GM main a workforce in a predominantly Black metropolis and league, Holmes acknowledges that his affect goes past the entrance workplace. Many Lions gamers view him as a task mannequin who strengthens the connection between the workforce and administration, constructing mutual respect all through the group.

“You have a look at an NFL roster and the vast majority of it's African American gamers,” Holmes stated. “So, simply to have the ability to relate, join with them, discuss with them … and I simply assume that it’s good to see for youthful generations. So, simply as I used to be seeking to an Ozzie Newsome and a Jerry Reese and Rick Smith, hopefully I may be that very same mannequin for that youthful technology.”