Santonio Holmes, Jr. sporting his foundation’s 10 All In gear, is taking a shot at Top Golf in Oxon Hill, Md. Holmes was there as part of his work with Prince George’s County youth at a unique summer golf camp in August 2022. PHOTO: RAOUL DENNIS/ PRINCE GEORGE’S SUITE MAGAZINE & MEDIA

Former NFL Player Combines Mentorship And Golf As Part Of His Chosen Work

By Raoul Dennis and Tiffany Young

Santonio Holmes, Jr. made an indelible mark on the game of football. Making the game-winning catch in the Superbowl will do that. Like many NFL giants before him, he decided to be a positive influence for communities after his days on the field. But unlike many of them, Holmes has blended his dedication to a better world with his passion for the game of golf.

This summer, the former Pittsburg Steeler brought that energy to Prince George’s County, Maryland when he partnered with First Tee of Greater Washington, D.C and Prince George’s County Dept. of Parks And Recreation for the Swing Into Steam Golf Camp, held August 22 – 26 (click here to read, “A Match Made On The Green” ).

In a Prince George’s Suite Magazine interview with Holmes regarding his role in the camp, the former NFL star shared a few thoughts about his post-football passions and his interest in supporting young people—especially in the area of mental fortitude and preparedness.

In 2009, Holmes was named MVP of Super Bowl XLIII as the Steelers beat the Arizona Cardinals and while that era of his life brought him fame and forever changed his life, it’s what he’s doing off the field that is the big game changer.

Holmes and Jimmie Vincent, two childhood friends from South Florida created the 10 All In Foundation to educate and motivate people through excellent work ethic. Working primarily with young people and communities, the foundation aims to bring opportunities that would otherwise be unavailable, acting as a pillar of support to those who need it most. Holmes and Vincent wanted to change the negative narrative of surrounding youth and the communities they live in. This goal was going to be achieved by tackling the bigger issues that many young people face daily---including lack of healthcare, education and employment.

STEM education became the positive catalyst for 10 All In. The goal was to allow youth to grow and develop the skills which would allow them to pursue any career they wish to. Holmes and Vincent went the extra mile and added Art to the curriculum.

Beyond the friendship, the two make good business partners and mentors. Holmes, who brings the passion of sports ensures that the fundamentals of the game is incorporated into programming, while Vincent, who has a background in healthcare is making sure mental health is addressed off the field. Both are truly fulfilling their childhood dreams; helping the community. 10 All In’s mission is to help uplift the community by allowing the youth to develop in areas beyond their wildest dreams.

This past summer, 10 All In Foundation made its way to Prince George’s County by serving as a sponsor with the At First Tee, an organization working to empower kids and teens through golf.

This was a perfect fit for Holmes, he loves the game of golf. It was in 2006 that Homes first picked up his first set of clubs. He is now heavily involved in the game, one he calls challenging but fun.

“Every shot is different. It’s not like basketball where the same hoop is in the same spot, whether you're 30 yards back or three feet. Every shot is different from every hole, every green is shaped different, every tee box, every fairway,” Holmes said.

Holmes admits the challenge of playing golf helps him test how good he is at the same. He says to himself… “Can I make this 30-foot putt?”

While playing in the league, Holmes grew to appreciate just how important charity events played an impact on him as a person and the community. After retirement, it was one of things he wanted to get involved in and he found himself watching the Golf Channel.

“I have time now to focus on getting better, so I started watching the Golf Channel, I started reading more books. I started spending the four hours at the driving range, working on different shots, videoing myself and learning from different pros, learning from different perspectives of people that I was playing with,” he said. “That allowed me to love and appreciate the game, because I get to play against anybody.”

10 All In Foundation supported First Tee of Greater Washington, DC, and Prince George’s Parks and Recreation by providing mental health training and awareness to the First Tee summer camps. Through a partnership with South Florida PGA, 10 All In involvement brought diversity, equity, and inclusion to the game of golf and allowed kids a fair chance and an understanding of what the game of golf has to offer through STEAM and STEM education.

Holmes explained working with the youth from the county gave him a new perspective on what the community needs and how 10 All In can get more involved with kids.

“I want to continue to focus on mental health awareness and with golf we can do that. We are trying to teach these kids [and make sure they know ] how to be aware of themselves,” he said.

“Us equipping students to be emotionally mature and yes, emotionally aware is the drive behind us pushing mental health in sports. We want to give kids the best opportunity to succeed, not just physically,” added Vincent.

10 All In Foundation is in it for the long haul.