Gene Babb
Gene Walter Babb (December 27, 1934 – December 2, 2018) is a former American football fullback and linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for the San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys. He also was a member of the Houston Oilers in the American Football League (AFL). He played college football at Austin College.
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| Position: | Linebacker / Fullback | ||||||||
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| Born: | December 27, 1934 El Paso, Texas | ||||||||
| Died: | December 2, 2018 (aged 83) Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | ||||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | ||||||||
| Weight: | 216 lb (98 kg) | ||||||||
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| High school: | Odessa (Odessa, Texas) | ||||||||
| College: | Austin | ||||||||
| NFL Draft: | 1957 / Round: 19 / Pick: 224 | ||||||||
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Early years
Babb attended Odessa High School before moving on to the University of Texas. He later transferred to Austin College. Besides playing football, he also was a Golden Gloves boxer in college.
In 1969, he was inducted into the Austin College Hall of Honor.[1] The school also recognized him by creating the annual "Gene Babb Award" for the outstanding football player.[2]
Professional career
San Francisco 49ers
Babb was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the nineteenth round (224th overall) of the 1957 NFL Draft. As a rookie, he was a key reserve player at fullback, rushing for 330 yards and 3 touchdowns.
In July 1960, he was traded to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for a fifth round draft choice (#58-Clark Miller).
Dallas Cowboys
Babb was primarily a reserve fullback, starting in five games during the Dallas Cowboys 1960 inaugural season, while being used both as a runner and pass receiver.
The next year, he was switched to linebacker and started 9 games at outside linebacker until being passed on the depth chart by Mike Dowdle. He was released on August 27, 1962.[3]
Houston Oilers
In 1962, he signed with the Houston Oilers of the American Football League as a free agent, where he was a backup at middle linebacker for two seasons.[4]
Personal life
Babb was an administrator for National Football Scouting Inc.
References
- "Athletic Hall of Honor". Retrieved February 3, 2018.
- "Austin College Student-Athletes Earn Awards". Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved February 3, 2018.
- "Tarkenton Returns to Viking Camp". Retrieved February 3, 2018.
- "Top Football Booked For Houston". Retrieved February 3, 2018.