Originally a 15th round pick of Houston in 1975 from Texas Southern Jack Holmes failed to make the Oilers final cut that year and found his way into the Canadian Football League in 1976 and played semi-pro ball with the Houston Titans in 1977. In 1978 the Saints brought him in for a look and while he was cut in the final roster cuts that year he was called back in week 5 and remained on the team as a special teams player and even did some kick returning in 1979. Over the next few seasons he was waived by New Orleans twice but managed both times to make his way back onto the team. During that dreadful season of 1980 he rushed for 2 touchdowns in the second loss to San Francisco and he threw a 23-yard score to Jimmy Rogers in the season finale against the Patriots. When Bum Phillips took over he was familiar with him from his tryout with the Oilers in 1975 and liked his attitude. Bum put him in the starting lineup and used him as the blocking back for George Rogers rookie 1981 season. That year he actually led the New Orleans Saints with 38 catches. He finished his 5 year career with 393 rushing yards, 71 catches, 453 receiving yards and a total of 5 touchdowns.
Jack Holmes Career Statistics with the New Orleans Saints
Rushing Statistics
| Carries | Yards | Average | Longest | TDs | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | 2 | 4 | 2.0 | 4 | 0 |
| 1979 | 17 | 68 | 4.0 | 14 | 0 |
| 1980 | 38 | 119 | 3.1 | 20 | 2 |
| 1981 | 58 | 194 | 3.3 | 11 | 2 |
| 1982 | 2 | 8 | 4.0 | 5 | 0 |
| Totals | 117 | 393 | 3.4 | 20 | 4 |
Receiving Statistics
| Catches | Yards | Average | Longest | TDs | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1979 | 3 | 19 | 6.3 | 13 | 0 |
| 1980 | 29 | 226 | 7.8 | 14t | 1 |
| 1981 | 38† | 206 | 5.4 | 19 | 0 |
| 1982 | 1 | 2 | 2.0 | 2 | 0 |
| Totals | 71 | 453 | 6.4 | 19 | 1 |
† – Team Leader for the Year
Kick Returns
| Carries | Yards | Average | Longest | TDs | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | 1 | 18 | 18.0 | 18 | 0 |
| 1979 | 8 | 120 | 15.0 | 20 | 0 |
| Totals | 9 | 138 | 15.3 | 20 | 0 |
Passing Statistics
| Att | Comp | Yards | Completion % | Longest | TDs | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 3 | 1 | 23 | 33.3 | 23 | 1 |
| 1982 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Totals | 4 | 1 | 23 | 25.0 | 23 | 1 |