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How near-death experience helped shape Lions GM Brad Holmes

DETROIT -- There was a lot to catch up on when Brad Holmes arrived home in Tampa, Fla., for Christmas break of 1999.

Not far removed from helping North Carolina A&T win the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and Black college football national championship as a sophomore defensive tackle, Holmes, 20, wanted to unwind.

So, he and his crew gathered early in the day at his best friend Gabe Galdos’ townhouse off Lake Magdalene -- aka their hangout spot -- to enjoy some good vibes.