Area mourns 'great loss' in death of Holmes
By JIMMY GALVAN Managing Editor

Southeast Texas is mourning the loss of Ernie Holmes, who died in a one-vehicle accident last week near Lumberton.

Holmes, an associate pastor at a church in the Jamestown area and a two-time Super Bowl winner was killed in a one-car accident as he was traveling southbound on Highway 69 in Hardin County and apparently lost control of his vehicle, a Department of Public Safety dispatcher said.

"It is a great loss for this community," said Rev. L.D. Matthews, pastor of New Beginnings Church of God in Christ in Newton. "He was just as important for this community as he was for the Pittsburgh Steelers. As big as he was, his heart was just as big."

A former Pittsburgh Steeler, Holmes, 59, was in a 2001 Chevrolet SUV, which left the roadway one mile south of Colonial Drive, causing the vehicle to flip several times. Holmes, a Newton County resident, was ejected from the vehicle.

The dispatcher said Holmes was not wearing his seatbelt.

Coleman Mortuary will host a memorial service for Holmes Friday, Jan. 25 from 6-9 p.m. at the Faith Temple Church of God In Christ in Jasper. His funeral will be Saturday, Jan. 26 at 1 p.m. inside the Jasper High School gymnasium.

Matthews said Holmes was very concerned about the drug usage among the area's youth in Jasper and Newton counties.

"He put his arms around the youth of this community and tried to help them in any way that he could," Matthews said. "This is just a devastating loss for our community."

Matthews said that he was joining forces with Holmes to deal with drug issues on "The Hill" in Newton County.

"We were going to get together and do some street ministry," Matthews said.

Holmes was a defensive lineman with the Steelers famed Steel Curtain defense from 1972-1977. He finished his career in 1978 with the New England Patriots.

Holmes, an ordained minister, lived on a ranch in Wiergate.

"We are deeply saddened to learn of the sudden and untimely death of Ernie Holmes,'' Steelers Chairman Dan Rooney said in a statement posted on the Pittsburgh Steelers' website. "Ernie was one of the toughest players to ever wear a Steelers uniform. He was a key member of our famous Steel Curtain defense, and many people who played against him considered Ernie almost impossible to block. At his best, he was an intimidating player who even the toughest of opponents did not want to play against.'

"Ernie seemed to be doing well in recent years and was always one of our most popular players whenever he returned to Pittsburgh for team events," Rooney said. "Our prayers go out to Ernie's family and loved ones. He will be missed by the entire Steelers family.''

Holmes was part of a front four in Super Bowl IX in 1975 that helped limit Minnesota to 17 yards rushing and 119 total yards. The Steelers won their first Super Bowl, 16-6. They were back a year later, beating Dallas 21-17 in Super Bowl X.

In one of his last visits to Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Holmes was interviewed by Steelers.com and was asked of his memories of playing for the Steelers.

"There were so many," Holmes said in November of 2007. "To make it one would be hard. The appreciation I had for the Chief and the things he did for. I wanted to accomplish the goal of pleasing him and bring to atonement where he wanted the Steelers to be. I made a commitment to him and tried with all of my heart to do that."