Despite deafness, Michigan high schooler is a football leader
SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (BVM) — Devin Holmes is a 6-foot, 285-pound athlete who has been a football standout at Bloomfield Hills High School. Holmes plays on the defensive line and is an intimidating force to opposing offenses. However, his journey in the game of football has been different compared to most, as the 18-year-old was born profoundly deaf.
Holmes was a bit of a late bloomer, not picking up football until age 12, where he first played for the Southfield Ravens. Although he loves the sport now, it was almost too much when he first started.
Football can be a complex sport to pick up to begin with, but as most can imagine, for someone who is deaf it is all the more difficult.
“I thought I wanted to quit football when I was 12 years old,” Holmes wrote to us. “But I realized football taught me to cooperate with people and learn how to communicate with those people.”
Holmes would soon develop a passion for the sport and wanted to play in high school.
At Bloomfield Hills, Holmes played on the varsity football team for three years and never let his inability to hear deter him from the game he loves. He started on the defensive line his junior and senior seasons, and was named team captain for his senior campaign, a truly special honor.
“I really felt proud and excited to be able to take leadership on the team,” Holmes said.
However, the challenge of communicating still remained for the defensive lineman and head coach Dan Loria. That is where Al Kettinger, a sign language interpreter at the school district for 36 years and an old friend that has known Holmes since he was a kid, helped out. Kettinger would be there to sign for Holmes during each practice and helped him to know what coach Loria wanted.
With Kettinger relegated to the sidelines during games, communication was predictably more difficult for Holmes. He has to watch when the ball is snapped since he can’t hear a quarterback’s cadence, watch the referee’s signals since he can’t hear the whistle, and pay attention to coaches’ and teammates’ signs and gestures since he can’t hear the play call. Challenges yes, but the fact that Holmes is able to make it work and excel while facing them makes his football career all the more impressive.
One important factor for success is how Holmes’ team embraced him. It starts at the top with coach Loria, who Holmes is appreciative towards for seeing potential in him and giving him a chance on the varsity team. Holmes’ teammates have been important to his success as well.
“They have supported me through my last season and I am very proud of myself and my teammates. We cooperate and help each other as brothers,” Holmes added.
The Black Hawks lineman often communicated with teammates through gesturing, using his voice, or his interpreter. But several of his teammates had also taken the steps to learn American Sign Language to be able to communicate better with him, which means a lot to Holmes.
“I’m really happy and grateful for how my teammates have supported me,” Holmes said.
The 18-year-old has also helped his teammates learn some signs as well, further strengthening their connection.
Devin now moves into the next chapter of his life, as he will attend Gallaudet University in Washington D.C. in the fall where he will study education and coaching. The move to D.C. is exciting for Holmes, a place he has visited and is eager to live in.
“I went to Washington D.C. in 8th grade on a field trip for three days…the city is amazing and awesome,” he said.
Not only will the city be a good fit, but so will the school as Gallaudet is the only university world-wide which has all of their programs aimed at accommodating deaf students. Being able to join them and make a difference for others like himself was a driving force for Holmes.
“Supporting the deaf community and encouraging them to get through their struggles and communicate with people is important to me,” Holmes said.
The defensive lineman will play football at Gallaudet under coach Chuck Goldstein and is excited to join the team and gain new experiences. Along with that, Holmes will also look to shadow his coaches to see what all goes into the job and how they work with the team. After graduation, Holmes hopes to become a football coach and specifically teach his defensive line position. Ideally, he will remain in D.C. and do so for the Bison.
Holmes’ story is an inspiration to family, friends, coaches, teammates, and fans alike. His three years on the high school varsity football team have given him great experience as he moves on to college. Playing college football and eventually becoming a college coach are lofty goals for any football player. But if Devin Holmes has shown us anything through his story, which is still far from finished, there isn’t anything he can’t accomplish.
