Late Night With Roy: Getting to know Jesse Holley

Jesse Holley: I got a call from Eric Hoots. All the players go to him as he used to be with player development. Hoots is the man. Hoots sent me a text that said, “Give me a call when you can.” So, I call him when I got a chance. Hoots answers the phone and says, “I need a huge favor” on the phone call.

Hoots asked me, “What are you doing the night of October 14^th?” I said, “Nothing.” Hoots says, “Coach wants you to host Late Night With Roy. Your name came up in a meeting regarding hosts for Late Night With Roy and head coach Roy Williams said, “That’s it. That’s who I want to do it.” I didn’t believe it at first. I didn’t ask to do it, but I couldn’t say no, either. It is an honor to host Late Night With Roy. I texted Hoots back later that night around 10pm and asked him, “Were you serious and joking about Late Night With Roy?”

Jesse Holley: No. (laughing) Not from anyone. Do you have any?

Jesse Holley: Basketball. Ever since I was a kid, I always loved basketball more than football. I am thankful to have played football. I was more successful in football and it paid a lot of bills for me.

Jesse Holley:  The game against Miami on October 31 2004. I played the entire game with a broken hand. I hurt it in the first quarter. I led UNC in receiving with 4 catches for 67 yards.

I told the trainers, “Whatever you have to do, I am not coming out the game.” I They taped me up. I got numbed up and I kept playing. I didn’t realize it was broken until AFTER the game. A doctor on staff told me that I broke my hand in the first quarter. The doctor told me, “You told us that you weren’t coming out the game. I could tell that it was broken when you walked over to the bench.”

I played the rest of the season with a broken hand. I broke the third metatarsal in my hand. I used a doughnut-like device to keep playing. I had to catch the ball like a Venus fly trap. I was sandwiching the ball and doing a diamond formation with my hands simultaneously. I missed a lot of practice.

I believe that the 2003 class was the turning point for UNC Football in regards to getting recruits. Adarius Bowman and I were a part of one of the best wide receiver corps as freshmen in the country. We mentored Hakeem Nicks and Brandon Tate, who became the next generation of football stars at North Carolina. Now, UNC’s football program has respect. People are starting to look at North Carolina as a football school AND basketball school.

Jesse Holley: I wore #24 in high school. I also wore #24 during my freshman year at UNC. 

I was at the Bojangles off 15-501 in Durham, about to eat some lunch. C.B. McGrath calls me and asks, “Just curious any number you would want to wear besides #24? Finish your lunch and I’ll call you back.” I remember I had sweet tea and chicken.

C.B. calls me back later and asks, “Have you thought about it? We just got this recruit Marvin Williams out of Seattle and he requests to wear #24.” Basically, C.B. said, “Either you choose another number or we give you one (in a nice way). Either way, Marvin Williams will wear #24.” Williams and I are great friends. I saw him recently. Marvin and I laugh about this now. He didn’t know that he was taking my jersey number. Marvin Williams is one of the most humble people.

Jesse Holley:  I knew that you were going to say the Redskins. 

Jesse Holley: Dallas Cowboys fan? I guess so. They paid me the most money in his NFL career. (starts laughing) I am the pre-game and post-game host for the Dallas Cowboys via 105.3 The Fan SportsTalk Radio Affiliate. I asked for this position. In my last year with the Patriots, I knew that I wanted to transition away from playing football. I played basketball with a friend who was affiliated with working on the radio. I told my friend, “I am willing to intern to learn the ropes.” My friend arranged a meeting with Gavin Spoon. I did a post-game show in the preseason for a trial run. I think that the Cowboys had five preseason games that year. Soon enough, I was sent a contract. Jerry Jones called Gavin and asked to have me on the pre AND post-game show. Whenever Jerry Jones asks you something, you do not say ‘No’ to someone like him. (jokingly) I have done the pre-game and post-game sports radio show for three years now. Here’s something interesting to know. I was the first player to ever see the inside of the Dallas Cowboys’ Stadium. Jerry Jones took me on a tour of the stadium shortly after the Mr. 4th and Long Show.