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| No. 63 | |||||||
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| Position | Defensive tackle | ||||||
| Personal information | |||||||
| Born | (1948-07-11)July 11, 1948 Jamestown, Texas, U.S. | ||||||
| Died | January 17, 2008(2008-01-17) (aged 59) Beaumont, Texas, U.S. | ||||||
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | ||||||
| Weight | 260 lb (118 kg) | ||||||
| Career information | |||||||
| High school | Burkeville Independent School District | ||||||
| College | Texas Southern | ||||||
| NFL draft | 1971: 8th round, 203rd overall pick | ||||||
| Career history | |||||||
| Awards and highlights | |||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||
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Earnest Lee Holmes (July 11, 1948 – January 17, 2008) was an American professionalfootballdefensive tackle who played in theNational Football League (NFL) for seven seasons, primarily with thePittsburgh Steelers. Nicknamed "Fats", he was selected by the Steelers in the eighth round of the1971 NFL draft and won twoSuper Bowl titles with the team. He spent all but one season of his career in Pittsburgh, retiring in 1978 after a stint with theNew England Patriots.[1]
Holmes was born inJamestown, Texas, and was raised on his family's farm, attending school inWiergate[2][3] Holmes played college football atTexas Southern University.
Holmes was selected byPittsburgh Steelers in the eighth round of the1971 NFL draft.[4] He was part of the legendarySteel Curtain defense along with fellow linemenJoe Greene,Dwight White, andL. C. Greenwood. Whilequarterback sacks were not an official NFL statistic until 1982, the Steelers credit Holmes with a career total of 40, eighth on the franchise's all-time list. This includes team-high totals of 11 in1974 (including a stretch of six consecutive games with a sack, which ties him with Greene andGreg Lloyd for the longest such streak in team history)[5] and 10.5 in 1975.[6]
"Ernie was one of the toughest players to ever wear a Steelers uniform, at his best, he was an intimidating player who even the toughest of opponents did not want to play against."
He was intensely fierce on the playing field and was often characterized as the most feared man on the Steelers defense.[citation needed] Prior to his third season in1973, Holmes had an emotional breakdown while driving on theOhio Turnpike on March 16, firing shots at a police helicopter as it pursued him.[8][9][10] He was charged with shooting at aHighway Patrol heli-pilot. Holmes was found in a field near his abandoned car inGoshen Township, Mahoning County, Ohio.[11][12] When apprehended, he threw his gun away and put his hands up. He was given five years' probation. Diagnosed withacute paranoid psychosis, he was believed to be depressed and having marital troubles.[13]
Holmes played six seasons with the Steelers before being traded due to on-going weight problems in1978 to theTampa Bay Buccaneers, where he failed to make the team coming out of preseason.[14] He played three games for theNew England Patriots that season before retiring.
Holmes' number 63 was later issued to All-ProcenterDermontti Dawson. The number has since been taken out of circulation as being "unofficially retired" in honor of Dawson, who was inducted into thePro Football Hall of Fame in2012.
Following the end of his NFL career, Holmes became a wrestler and actor.[15]He made one film appearance in 1985'sFright Night as a bouncer killed byChris Sarandon's vampire character. The following year, Holmes appeared inWrestleMania 2 and made other appearances as a professional wrestler.[16][17] He also appeared in an episode ofThe A-Team.
Until his death, Holmes lived inTexas on a ranch nearWiergate, a small town with a population of 461 near the Louisiana border, where he had his own church and was an ordained minister.
Holmes died in a one-car accident nearBeaumont, Texas on the night of January 17, 2008. He was driving alone when his car left the road and rolled several times, about 80 miles (130 km) from Houston, according to a Texas Department of Public Safety dispatcher. Holmes was thrown from his car and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Texas Department of Transportation. He had not been wearing a seat belt.[18][19]
Holmes was buried at the Pine Hill Cemetery inJamestown, Texas.
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Fright Night | Bouncer #2 |