Ernie Meyer was born June 23, 1904, in West Bridgewater, PA.

Following his high school graduation from Borger High School in Texas, Ernie attended Geneva College, where he was a standout lineman for the Geneva football team in the mid-1920s. Six-foot tall and 200 pounds, Ernie played for the Geneva Covenanters from 1923 to 1926, earning letters all three years. In 1926, Ernie played with fellow Beaver County Sports Hall of Famers Mack Flenniken and Al Maglisceau on the Geneva football team, along with their legendary quarterback Cal Hubbard, in the team's 16-7 historic upset of a powerful Harvard team.

Ernie played football in the National Football League in 1930 in the inaugural season for the Portsmouth Spartans (nka the Detroit Lions). The team finished with a 5-6-3 record. In his rookie season, Ernie started as a guard for the first game of the season against the Newark Tornadoes. The Spartans would go on to a 13-6 win at home in Universal Stadium, which is now known as Spartan Municipal Stadium. This stadium hosted the NFL's Portsmouth Spartans from 1930 to 1933.

Ernie appeared in nine NFL games and started five games with the Portsmouth Spartans. During Ernie's time with the Spartans, the league had many renowned players, including legendary football player, coach, and Beaver County Sports Hall of Famer Forrest Douds. During the season, Ernie would see future Pro Football Hall of Famers Red Grange, Curly Lambeau, Ernie Nevers, and Ken Strong.

Ernie coached football at Rochester Area High School in Rochester, PA, and later was head football coach at Berwyn High School, located near Chicago. Ernie coached the Berwyn Bulldogs from 1947 to 1950. Ernie was inducted into the Geneva College Athletics Hall of Fame as part of its 2020 Legacy Hall of Fame Class.

Ernest "Ernie" Henry Meyer died January 23, 1979, at age 74, in Paoli, PA.