Pat Holmes

American professional football defensive lineman who played for the Kansas City Chiefs in 1973 after a career with the Houston Oilers and Calgary Stampeders; two-time AFL All-Star.

Biography

Early life

James Patrick Holmes was born August 3, 1940 in Durant, Oklahoma. He grew up in Oklahoma and played college football.

Arrival in / connection to Kansas City

Holmes joined the Kansas City Chiefs in 1973 for his final NFL season, adding to the team’s defensive line during the early NFL era after the AFL-NFL merger.

Career / contribution

Holmes was a defensive end and defensive tackle. He played in the CFL for the Calgary Stampeders (1962–1965), then in the AFL for the Houston Oilers (1966–1972), where he earned two AFL All-Star selections. He finished his NFL career with the Kansas City Chiefs in 1973.

He was known for his size (6 ft 5 in, 255 lb) and contributions to the defensive lines of his teams.

Later years

After retiring from football, Holmes lived a private life until his passing.

Death + memorial

Pat Holmes passed away on June 16, 2026 at the age of 85.

Defining contributions to Kansas City

1. Played for the Kansas City Chiefs in 1973, contributing to the team’s history during the post-merger era.
2. Brought professional football experience from AFL All-Star career to the Chiefs franchise.

Cultural legacy

Holmes is remembered as part of the Kansas City Chiefs’ storied defensive history and as a link between the AFL and NFL eras in KC sports.

Contemporaries + collaborators

• Houston Oilers teammates
• Kansas City Chiefs 1973 roster members

Sites in KC associated with this person

• Arrowhead Stadium / Municipal Stadium (Chiefs home during his time)

Source materials

• Pro Football Reference stats
• Wikipedia and sports obituaries

Controversies + complexity

None noted.

Sources