| Ernie Holmes | |
|---|---|
| Position(s): Defensive Tackle |
Jersey #(s): 63 |
Born: July 11 1948  Jamestown, Texas |
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| Career Information | |
| Year(s): 1971-1978 | |
| NFL Draft: 1971 / Round: 8 / Pick: 203 | |
| College: Texas Southern | |
| Professional Teams | |
| Career Stats | |
| Sacks | 39.5 |
| Games | 84 |
| Seasons | 7 |
| Stats at NFL.com | |
| Career Highlights and Awards | |
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Earnest Lee "Ernie" Holmes, also nicknamed "Fats" (born July 11, 1948 in Jamestown, Texas) was an American football player who was most famous for his years with the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1972-77. He was part of the famous Steel Curtain and played at defensive lineman. His fellow linemen during this period were Joe Greene, Dwight White, and L.C. Greenwood. Although overshadowed by these three more famous teammates, he won two Super Bowl rings with them. A few Steelers players from the era have publicly stated that Holmes was as good as Joe Greene or even better. However, Holmes was also characterized as wild, lacking personal discipline, and often out of control which led to his demise. At one point, both Holmes and his girlfriend at the time had an arrowhead shaved onto their heads.[1] Holmes played college football at Texas Southern University and was selected by the Steelers in the eighth round of the 1971 NFL Draft. The Steelers released Holmes in 1978, after growing impatient with his weight problems. He played three games for the New England Patriots in 1978 before retiring. In the offseason preceding the 1973 season, Holmes had an emotional breakdown while driving on the Ohio Turnpike and fired shots at a police helicopter that was pursuing him in the course of a chase. In 1986, Holmes appeared in WrestleMania 2. He also made some other appearances as a pro wrestler. His weight ballooned to over 400 pounds after his playing career ended. Today, Holmes is living in Wiergate, Texas, where he is an ordained minister.[2] Holmes's number 63 was later issued to All-Pro center Dermontti Dawson. The number has since been taken out of circulation as being "unofficially retired" in honor of Dawson.
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| 5 Terry Hanratty | 10 Roy Gerela | 12 Terry Bradshaw | 17 Joe Gilliam | 20 Rocky Bleier | 22 Richard Conn | 23 Mike Wagner | 24 J. T. Thomas | 25 Ron Shanklin | 26 Preston Pearson | 27 Glen Edwards | 31 Donnie Shell | 32 Franco Harris | 34 Andy Russell | 35 Steve Davis | 38 Ed Bradley | 39 Bobby Walden | 43 Frank Lewis | 45 Jim Allen | 46 Reggie Harrison | 47 Mel Blount | 50 Jim Clack | | 51 Loren Toews | 52 Mike Webster | 54 Marv Kellum | 55 Jon Kolb | 56 Ray Mansfield | 57 Sam Davis | 58 Jack Lambert | 59 Jack Ham | 62 Jim Wolf | 63 Ernie Holmes | 64 Steve Furness | 68 L. C. Greenwood | 71 Gordon Gravelle | 72 Gerry Mullins | 73 Rick Druschel | 74 Dave Reavis | 75 Joe Greene | 77 Charlie Davis | 78 Dwight White | 82 John Stallworth | 84 Randy Grossman | 86 Reggie Garrett | 87 Larry Brown | 88 Lynn Swann | 89 John McMakin Head Coach Chuck Noll Coaches Bud Carson | Dick Hoak | George Perles | Dan Radakovich | Lionel Taylor | Woody Widenhofer |
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| 5 Terry Hanratty | 10 Roy Gerela | 12 Terry Bradshaw | 17 Joe Gilliam | 20 Rocky Bleier | 23 Mike Wagner | 24 J. T. Thomas | 27 Glen Edwards | 31 Donnie Shell | 32 Franco Harris | 33 John Fuqua | 34 Andy Russell | 36 Dave Brown | 38 Ed Bradley | 39 Bobby Walden | 43 Frank Lewis | 44 Mike Collier | 45 Jim Allen | 46 Reggie Harrison | 47 Mel Blount | 50 Jim Clack | 51 Loren Toews | 52 Mike Webster | 54 Marv Kellum | 55 Jon Kolb | 56 Ray Mansfield | 57 Sam Davis | 58 Jack Lambert | 59 Jack Ham | 63 Ernie Holmes | 64 Steve Furness | 68 L. C. Greenwood | 71 Gordon Gravelle | 72 Gerry Mullins | 74 Dave Reavis | 75 Joe Greene | 76 John Banaszak | 78 Dwight White | 82 John Stallworth | 84 Randy Grossman | 86 Reggie Garrett | 87 Larry Brown | 88 Lynn Swann Head Coach Chuck Noll Coaches Bud Carson | Dick Hoak | George Perles | Dan Radakovich | Lionel Taylor | Woody Widenhofer |
