Fats Holmes

[nicefellow31]

When I was a kid, for whatever reason, Ernie Holmes was my favorite player. My father used to say "why don't you like a running back or a QB!?". Anyway I found this on Youtube. I've read that many players were afraid of Ernie and there is something about him that sounds different. Also the nickname doesn't fit. He doesn't look fat at all.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=p ... m_lI#t=395

[MatthewToy]

Ernie was considered big for that time and was eventually cut due to his weight.

[conace21]

Unfortunately, the nickname proved to be prophetic, as Holmes' weight ballooned to as much as 400 pounds. I saw a picture of him with Dan Rooney, and he was just massive, as big as the Fridge got to be in retirement.

[nicefellow31]

Yes I saw some post career pics & he was a large man.

[BD Sullivan]

Perhaps the fear was related to the March 1973 incident where he shot at three moving trucks and a police helicopter, wounding an Ohio State trooper. Amazingly, all he got was five years probation for that.