WS Chronicle

Winston-Salem native Ray Agnew was recently hired as the assistant general manager for the Detroit Lions. Agnew will be working under Brad Holmes, who was hired as the general manager for Detroit.

Agnew worked alongside Holmes with the Los Angeles Rams. Agnew was with the Rams’ organization for 14 years, working in several different roles. He served as director of pro scouting, assistant director of pro personnel, and the director of player development/team pastor.

As a minority, Agnew holds one of the most important and influential positions in the NFL. With the NFL being criticized for their lack of diversity when it comes to head coaching and front office positions, seeing Agnew hired by the Lions is a step in the right direction.

Agnew was a standout player for Carver High School in the 1980s. He went on to star for N.C. State before being picked 10th overall by the New England Patriots in the 1990 NFL Draft. He played for the Patriots from 1990-94, then for the New York Giants (1995-97), and finally the St. Louis Rams (1998-2000). Agnew was a key contributor for the Rams in their Super Bowl XXXIV victory over the Tennessee Titans.