Many consider Gibsonville native and former wide receiver Torry Holt one of the most electric players to ever play football at N.C. State. 

In a month where we remember African-Americans who have represented State on and off the field, the contributions of Holt cannot be forgotten.

The University retired his jersey, No. 81, on Jan. 16, 1999, during halftime at Reynolds Coliseum.

He set many records:

Most receptions in a game: 15 for 179 yards.

Most receptions in a season: 88 for 1,604 yards.

Most receiving yards in a game: 255.

Most receiving yards in a season: 1,604.

Most receiving yards in a career: 3,379.

Holt still holds the records for touchdown receptions: five in a game, 16 in a season and 31 in his career.

The Atlantic Coast Conference named Holt its 1998 Offensive Player of the Year in his senior season. He set conference records with 88 receptions and 1,604 yards.

After Holt graduated, the St. Louis Rams picked him sixth in the first round of the NFL Draft, and he joined a group of four who earned the nickname “The Greatest Show on Turf.” The other three: NFL superstars receiver Isaac Bruce, running back Marshall Faulk and quarterback Kurt Warner.

As a rookie, Holt grabbed 53 receptions for 788 yards and six touchdowns and playing an essential role in helping the Rams clinch the Super Bowl XXXIV championship.

His seven catches for 109 yards in Super Bowl XXXIV set rookie records in each category.

During his illustrious 11-year career in the NFL, he reached the Pro Bowl seven times, missing only 2002 from 2000 through 2007. He was named an All-Pro twice, in 2003 and 2006; NFL Alumni Wide Receiver of the Year in 2003; and NFL 2000’s All-Decade Team.

As of 2009, his NFL career numbers were impressive: 920 catches, 13,382 receiving yards and 74 receiving touchdowns.  Holt was the first player in NFL history to reach 1,300 receiving yards in five consecutive seasons. He was also fourth-fastest receiver to reach 500 receptions and fifth-fastest to attain 5,000 receiving yards in NFL history.

Holt played for the Rams from 1999 to 2008. In 2009, he joined the Jacksonville Jaguars for a season. He moved to the New England Patriots during the 2010 offseason but didn’t remain with the team.

Outside of his professional career, Holt and his brother, also a former Pack football player, started the Holt Foundation in 1999 in honor of their mother Ojetta Holt-Shoffner, who died of cancer in 1996.

The Holt brothers host an annual football camp and 7-on-7 tournament.