Whatever happened to Jamelle Holieway?
7771-yard pass play by Holieway vs. the Cornhuskers
Some highlights from Holieway's 1985 game vs. Miami Hurricanes
Other random links on Jamelle Holieway
One of the greatest college quarterbacks of all time
Growing up in the heart of Sooner country, I remember idolizing a few football players: Tony Dorsett and Roger Staubach of the Dallas Cowboys, and Jamelle Holieway, who quarterbacked the University of Oklahoma to the National Championship at the Orange Bowl in 1986 (according to Wikipedia, the only true freshman to have ever done so -- he still holds this distinction) and to another Orange Bowl win in 1987 (though it was not the championship game that year). To get some idea of Holieway's talent: he had taken over in his freshman season for the injured sophomore starter Troy Aikman, who eventually figured he would never be able to get his starting job back vs. Holieway, and transferred to UCLA (eventually having a Hall of Fame career as quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys, winning the Super Bowl three times including once as the MVP).
Holieway was a unique quarterback in his ability to run or throw the ball with equal ease, as his career stats show. In 39 games, he had 2,713 yards rushing and 2,430 yards passing for a combined 5,143 yards of total offense -- averaging over 131 yards/game. He was the first quarterback I'm aware of in the Michael Vick style, where his pure athleticism and the threat that the quarterback would suddenly turn into a running back completely changed the game for the defense. In looking at the history, it appears he paid the price for this scrambling ability -- a couple of leg injuries in his junior and senior seasons hampered the tail end of his college career, and may have helped keep him out of the NFL -- though at the time, there were probably not many NFL teams inclined to re-tool their offense for a player like this, the way the Falcons did for Michael Vick.
Finding info on his life after the Sooners is difficult; many sources mispell his name "Holloway" instead of "Holieway," and there is just not a lot info on the internet from those pre-www days. However, it looks like he currently works as a sales rep for an insurance company in Oklahoma -- and unfortunately has been arrested multiple times (most recently on marijuana possession, and possibly DUI since he was apparently driving and smoking at the time).
The transgressions of the Sooner program at large under Barry Switzer were exposed in a February 1989 article -- again, this content is not available on the web, and I don't know to what level Holieway was involved in any of the player scandals or NCAA violations that came out during this time.
Regardless of how his life has gone in the days since his Sooner glory, Jamelle Holieway should always be remembered as one of the greatest college quarterbacks of all time.
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BRIAN BOSWORTH OKLAHOMA SOONERS "1985 NATIONAL CHAMPS" POSTER (picture, photo)
Current Bid: $13.80
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1985 ORANGE BOWL FULL TICKET - THE SOONER SCHOONER GAME
Current Bid: $10.00
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1985 Orange Bowl Program Oklahoma Sooners vs Washington Huskies
Current Bid: $14.99
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1985 OKLAHOMA SOONERS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP BUD GLASS
Current Bid: $22.50
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 | Amazon Price: $15.78 List Price: $24.95 |
 | Amazon Price: $76.00 |
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Jamelle is a personal friend of mie and he is currently living in Mcalster, OK, where he works for a home health care business, he is married to a very nice lady her name is Brandi. He attends most of the Oklahoma home games where occasionally you will catch him signing autographs for sooner fans and talking trash to the opposing teams fans. Jamelle is still a larger than life image at Oklahoma, I have seen grown men loose their minds over meeting Jamelle. Just thought I'd help with some info.
He was arrested yesterday in McAlister, OK, for shoplifting at Walmart. Classy
Jamelle is a crackhead living in Mcalaester. He stayed in Quinton for a while living off his old ladies mother. Thats right crackhead.
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i agree, jamelle holieway is one of the greatest, most exciting college players of all time. unbelieveable talent, courage and decision making. GO BIG RED!
Jamelle is simply put ghetto garbage, he might have been a good college player but do any good for him long term did it. I have had personal dealings with him andHe talks like his stuff doesnt stink and acts like everyone owes him something. Him AND his wife arent good people,obviously, look at the arrests and police reports
I met Mr Holieway at a little league baseball game he was very open to speaking and mentoring the kids on the team, which a lot of professional athletes wouldn't take a minute of their time to do! He spent all day with the team and never asked for anything in return! Not many would do the same, so he might have problems but who doesn't thank you Mr Holieway for you're time and professionalism on and off the field!!!!!
Rather than put him down, as some have done in the comments, why don't we all pray for him? We all need all the prayers we can get....God knows are heart, and none of us are good.
To me, he is more famous than Brian bosworth. I personally think if he could have gone pro, he would have been one of the best. You're awesome Jamelle.
He was by far the best wishbone quarterback every to play the game
I played with Jamelle back in 1997 here in Spain where I live. For some reason that I do not know, he played some games with a total amateur team (Panteras de Madrid). we played one European Cup Match against the Hamburg Blue Devils, and our coach was James Brooks (former Bengals running back). It was a very nice experience playing football with Jamelle and James! I wish him the best!
EVERY ONE OF YOU THATS TALKING AbOUT HIS WIFE* THAtS MY MOTHER!!! SOOO THEREFORE I SUGGEST YOU SHUT YOUR MOUTH! ITS NOT YOUR FAMILY NOR YOuR BUSINESS SO MOVE ON WITH YOUR LIFE I MIGHT BE 17 BUT nO KID LIKES SEEING THERE MOM TALKED ABOUT ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU DONT KNOw THEM. THANKS
Susan 3 years ago
Just FYI Jamelle was in Tulsa today (12-12-08) at the Bob Hurley Ford auto dealership. He seems well and happy.............has a baby due in March. His biggest concern was for his 14 year old autistic son who lives in California. He is to have surgery which will enable him to speak. Please pray that all goes well.