John Babinecz

John Babinecz
No. 53, 52
Position:	Linebacker
Personal information
Born:	July 27, 1950 (age 73); Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:	222 lb (101 kg)
Career information
High school:	Central Catholic; (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)
College:	Villanova
NFL draft:	1972 / Round: 2 / Pick: 39
Career history
	Dallas Cowboys (1972–1974); Houston Oilers (1974); Chicago Bears (1975); Philadelphia Eagles (1976); Atlanta Falcons (1976); Winnipeg Blue Bombers (1976–1977);
	* Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
	3× All-East (1969, 1970, 1971);
Career NFL statistics
Games played:
Games played:	40
	Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

John Michael Babinecz (born July 27, 1950) is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys, Houston Oilers and Chicago Bears. He also was a member of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Villanova University.

Early years[edit]

Babinecz attended Central Catholic High School where he played as a tight end and linebacker, receiving All-Catholic honors in his last two years. He also was the State Catholic champion in the shot put.^[1]

He accepted a football scholarship from Villanova University, where he became a three-year starter and a three-time All-East selection at middle linebacker.^[2] In 2003, the school retired his #64 jersey.

Professional career[edit]

Dallas Cowboys[edit]

Babinecz was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round (39th overall) of the 1972 NFL Draft. As a rookie, he played on special teams in all 14 games.

In 1973, he played on special teams, while backing up Dave Edwards and D. D. Lewis at outside linebacker. He suffered a broken hand during training camp that slowed his progress and also missed 2 regular season games with a pulled back muscle.^[3] He was placed on injured waivers (sprained hip and knee) after the first game of the 1974 season.

Houston Oilers[edit]

In 1974, Babinecz was claimed by the Houston Oilers and spent the season on the injured reserve list. He was released on September 14, 1975.

Chicago Bears[edit]

On September 16, 1975, he was claimed by the Chicago Bears.^[4] He appeared in 14 games in a reserve role. He wasn't re-signed after the season.

Philadelphia Eagles[edit]

On June 29, 1976, he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as a free agent.^[5] He was waived on August 2.^[6]

Atlanta Falcons[edit]

On August 10, 1976, he was claimed off waivers by the Atlanta Falcons.^[7] On August 23, he was released before the start of the season.^[8]

Winnipeg Blue Bombers (CFL)[edit]

On September 16, 1976, he signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers after a five-day tryout.^[9]^[10] On August 28, 1977, he was released to be able to enter medical school in September.^[11]^[12]

Personal life[edit]

Babinecz worked as a pediatrician in Paoli, Pennsylvania.^[13]

References[edit]

^ "Villanova Gets Local Grid Star". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
^ "Football Retirement Ceremony Honors Finneran and Babinecz". villanova.com. 4 November 2003. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
^ "Dallas Reports Two Reserves In Doubt". Toledo Blade. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
^ "Transactions". The Pantagraph. 17 September 1975. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
^ "Signs with Eagles". The Bryan Times. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
^ "Seven vets are axed by Eagles". The Morning News. 3 August 1976. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
^ "Falcons get linebacker from Eagles, cut back". The Tuscaloosa News. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
^ "Falcons Cut Six". The Atlanta Constitution. 24 August 1976. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
^ "Winnipeg". The Ottawa Journal. 17 September 1976. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
^ "Last-quarter effort stalls as Bombers dump 'Riders". The Montreal Gazette. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
^ "Transactions". Daily News. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
^ "Bits And Pieces". Star-Phoenix. 29 July 1977. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
^ "Main Line Health physicians recognized as "Top Docs" by Main Line Today". Main Line Health. December 5, 2013. Retrieved May 30, 2020.

[1] "Villanova Gets Local Grid Star". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved May 30, 2020.

[villanova-2] "Football Retirement Ceremony Honors Finneran and Babinecz". villanova.com. 4 November 2003. Retrieved May 30, 2020.

[3] "Dallas Reports Two Reserves In Doubt". Toledo Blade. Retrieved May 30, 2020.

[4] "Transactions". The Pantagraph. 17 September 1975. Retrieved May 30, 2020.

[5] "Signs with Eagles". The Bryan Times. Retrieved May 30, 2020.

[6] "Seven vets are axed by Eagles". The Morning News. 3 August 1976. Retrieved May 30, 2020.

[7] "Falcons get linebacker from Eagles, cut back". The Tuscaloosa News. Retrieved May 30, 2020.

[8] "Falcons Cut Six". The Atlanta Constitution. 24 August 1976. Retrieved May 30, 2020.

[9] "Winnipeg". The Ottawa Journal. 17 September 1976. Retrieved May 30, 2020.

[10] "Last-quarter effort stalls as Bombers dump 'Riders". The Montreal Gazette. Retrieved May 30, 2020.

[11] "Transactions". Daily News. Retrieved May 30, 2020.

[12] "Bits And Pieces". Star-Phoenix. 29 July 1977. Retrieved May 30, 2020.

[13] "Main Line Health physicians recognized as "Top Docs" by Main Line Today". Main Line Health. December 5, 2013. Retrieved May 30, 2020.

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