Remembering an idol, remembering ‘Bubby’

By JEFF OLIVER
MVI Sports

Once upon a time, I was one of the young guys who sat wide-eyed and all ears as the old timers talked about the great exploits of athletes from years gone by.

Today,  I’m the old timer who keeps alive the memories and accolades of our area’s great players, coaches and teams.

My best memories go back as far as about 1968. I can assure you that while the abundance of years have whittled at me physically, my mind is still as sharp as ever.

The reason I point this out is because it is with great pride and sorrow I tell you about the exploits of Milfred “Bubby” Holmes, who passed away Monday from complications of COVID.

Bubby was the greatest high school running back I ever saw in the Mon Valley.

Now, that doesn’t pour salt on some of the other stars the area has produced. However, it does shed a lot of light on Bubby’s greatness.

In an era where freshmen did not play varsity and the Greyhounds were one of the smallest schools in Class AA (there were only three classes at that time), Holmes had the ability to make crowds get on their feet every time he touched the football because he could go the distance on any play.

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