The Canton Case for Torry Holt

Torry Holt finished his 11-year career with 920 catches for 13,382 yards and 74 touchdowns, spending 10 seasons with the St. Louis Rams. He was named to the Pro Bowl seven times and voted an All-Pro once. He was a crucial part of “The Greatest Show on Turf” along with Kurt Warner, Marshall Faulk, Isaac Bruce, and Orlando Pace, and won Super XXXIV over the Tennessee Titans.

And this year, Holt for the third time has been named a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Holt’s lists of accolades also includes the NFL receiving yards leader (2000, 2003) and receptions leader (2003). He was named to the 2000s All-Decade Team, noting how dominant he was over a 10-year stretch. 

In regards to his all-time rankings among wide receivers, Holt sits 16th in receiving yards, eighth in receiving yards per game and 21st in receptions. 

While statistically not on the level of some of his counterparts such as Terrell Owens, Randy Moss, and Isaac Bruce, Holt showcased his talents from the moment the St. Louis Rams drafted him in the first round of the 1999 NFL Draft.

He finished his rookie campaign with 52 receptions for 788 yards and six touchdowns to help St. Louis win Super Bowl XXXIV over the Tennessee Titans. From 1999-2001, he was a part of The Greatest Show on Turf, a record-setting offensive juggernaut which propelled the Rams to two Super Bowl appearances in three years and a 37-11 record in that span.

And even after those years, Holt continued to shine for the Rams, eventually becoming their top receiving threat to quarterback Marc Bulger. He remained with the Rams until the 2008 season, eventually spending one season with the Jacksonville Jaguars, before officially retiring after the 2010 season.

He was a consistent threat to opposing defenses, and his endearing personality made him a beloved figure by fans.

With so many receivers from his era getting inducted (deservedly so), it’s about time for Holt to get his chance to become immortal in football history too.

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