Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes traded his draft board for a commencement podium this past weekend — and delivered a speech that could rival any locker room rally he’s ever given.

On Saturday, Holmes returned to his roots at North Carolina A\&T, his alma mater. There, he addressed the 2024 graduating class with a heartfelt commencement speech filled with personal stories, wisdom, and the spirit of Aggie pride.

Holmes didn’t sugarcoat his journey. He recounted the path from Greensboro graduation to the Detroit Lions front office — a path that began far from the spotlight or big titles.

He reminded graduates that his career started modestly at Enterprise Rent-A-Car before landing a public relations internship with an NFL team. From there, he steadily climbed the ladder, ultimately becoming Detroit’s general manager — now one of the NFL’s most respected rising leaders.

Holmes outlined three core principles that drove his journey: a positive mindset, dependable work habits, and high-quality results. He emphasized the value of continuous self-growth through reading and listening — hard-earned lessons he now shares passionately.

But what truly stood out was his pride in his alma mater — and the challenge he issued to graduates to carry that pride into their futures.

“Take pride in where you come from. That blue and gold runs deep. The statue of the Greensboro Four should stir something in you,” Holmes said, as quoted by Lions OnSI.

“Those bullet marks on Scott Hall should mean something. That window unit I duct-taped in Cooper Hall? That meant something to me. It molded me.”

“When people misname Aggie Pride and ask, ‘You went to AT\&T?’ it hits a nerve. It makes me wince. A\&T is where authenticity is built. Aggies are tough.”

Holmes is known in Detroit for his honesty, drive, and talent scouting. But this weekend, he showed his heart — proving that leadership extends far beyond football.

For the new North Carolina A\&T grads, it was a memory they’ll cherish. And for the rest of us, it was one more reason to admire the man leading Detroit’s football future.