schmofstra
January 18th, 2008, 12:38 PM
Jan. 18 (Bloomberg) -- Ernie Holmes, a member of Pittsburgh's ``Steel Curtain'' defense on two Super Bowl-winning teams in the 1970s, died in a car crash last night. He was 59.
Holmes was driving alone when his vehicle left the roadway and rolled over several times near Lumberton, Texas, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Holmes wasn't wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
``We are deeply saddened to learn of the sudden and untimely death of Ernie Holmes,'' Steelers Chairman Dan Rooney said in a press release. ``He was a key member of our famous Steel Curtain defense, and many people who played against him considered Ernie almost impossible to block.''
Holmes, a two-time All Pro, was a defensive lineman for the Steelers from 1972-1977. He was on Pittsburgh teams that won the National Football League championship after the 1974 and 1975 seasons.
Holmes teamed with Hall-of-Famer ``Mean'' Joe Greene, L.C. Greenwood and Dwight White to form the Pittsburgh defensive line that became known as the ``Steel Curtain'' for its ability to shut down opposing offenses.
He played six seasons in Pittsburgh, finishing with 40 sacks, which ranks eighth in team history. In 1978, he played three games for the New England Patriots before retiring.
Streak of Sacks
Holmes had 11.5 sacks with the Steelers in 1974. During that year, he recorded sacks in six straight games, a streak shared only by Greene and Greg Lloyd as the longest in team history.
Holmes told the team's Web site in an interview earlier this season that he still keeps in touch with his former line mates.
``At least three of four times a year the Steel Curtain gets together. I am always calling L.C., Dwight or Joe,'' Holmes said. ``We don't get the chance to sit down in each other's homes, but we are in touch.''
Holmes said he lived on a ranch in Wiergate, Texas, about 150 miles (241 kilometers) northeast of Houston, and was an ordained minister. He acted as an honorary captain for a game against the Cleveland Browns this season.
Holmes was driving alone when his vehicle left the roadway and rolled over several times near Lumberton, Texas, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Holmes wasn't wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
``We are deeply saddened to learn of the sudden and untimely death of Ernie Holmes,'' Steelers Chairman Dan Rooney said in a press release. ``He was a key member of our famous Steel Curtain defense, and many people who played against him considered Ernie almost impossible to block.''
Holmes, a two-time All Pro, was a defensive lineman for the Steelers from 1972-1977. He was on Pittsburgh teams that won the National Football League championship after the 1974 and 1975 seasons.
Holmes teamed with Hall-of-Famer ``Mean'' Joe Greene, L.C. Greenwood and Dwight White to form the Pittsburgh defensive line that became known as the ``Steel Curtain'' for its ability to shut down opposing offenses.
He played six seasons in Pittsburgh, finishing with 40 sacks, which ranks eighth in team history. In 1978, he played three games for the New England Patriots before retiring.
Streak of Sacks
Holmes had 11.5 sacks with the Steelers in 1974. During that year, he recorded sacks in six straight games, a streak shared only by Greene and Greg Lloyd as the longest in team history.
Holmes told the team's Web site in an interview earlier this season that he still keeps in touch with his former line mates.
``At least three of four times a year the Steel Curtain gets together. I am always calling L.C., Dwight or Joe,'' Holmes said. ``We don't get the chance to sit down in each other's homes, but we are in touch.''
Holmes said he lived on a ranch in Wiergate, Texas, about 150 miles (241 kilometers) northeast of Houston, and was an ordained minister. He acted as an honorary captain for a game against the Cleveland Browns this season.