Villanova Univeristy Athletics

A three-year starter at linebacker whose jersey number is enshrined on the Wall of Fame in Villanova Stadium, John Babinecz played 40 games in the NFL following his standout collegiate career. He was a member of the Wildcats varsity squad from 1969-71 and graduated from Villanova in 1972. He was inducted to the Varsity Club Hall of Fame in 1989.
 
Babinecz helped the Wildcats tally a 21-9-1 (.694) record during his three varsity seasons. That included a 9-2 record his junior year in in 1970 when Villanova tallied notable wins at Maryland, at Navy and at Temple. The defense gave up just 17.3 points per contest in 1970 as the Wildcats finished the year with a +98 scoring margin. Villanova outscored its opponents by an average of better than eight points per game during Babinecz’ career.
 
Collegiate honors for Babinecz included being a three-time All-East performer to go along with being named the Sport Magazine College Athlete of the Month. Babinecz came to the Wildcats on a football scholarship after playing at tight end and linebacker during his scholastic career at Central Catholic High School in Pittsburgh. He earned All-Catholic Honors in his junior and senior high school seasons. He was also a state champion in the shot put.
 
Babinecz was selected by the Dallas Cowboys with the 39^th overall pick in the second round of the 1972 NFL Draft. He played on special teams in all 14 games of his rookie season later that year, as well as in 12 games in 1973 when he saw action on special teams and as a backup outside linebacker to starters Dave Edwards and D.D. Lewis. Babinecz appeared in two postseason games in both 1972 and 1973, then later went on to play in 14 games for the Chicago Bears in 1975. He had one interception and one fumble recovery during his NFL career.
 
After spending the 1976 and 1977 seasons with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League, Babinecz was granted his release on August 28, 1977 so that he could enter medical school that Fall. He eventually worked as a pediatrician in Paoli, Pa. His jersey, #64, was retired on the Wall of Fame in Villanova Stadium in 2003.