Jordan Babineaux

Jordan Jude Babineaux (born August 31, 1982) is a former American football safety.[1] He was signed by the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 2004 out of Southern Arkansas University.

Jordan Babineaux
Babineaux with the Seahawks in 2010
No. 27, 26
Position:Safety
Personal information
Born: (1982-08-31) August 31, 1982
Port Arthur, Texas
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:182 lb (83 kg)
Career information
High school:Abraham Lincoln
(Port Arthur, Texas)
College:Southern Arkansas
Undrafted:2004
Career history
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:600
Sacks:4.0
Forced fumbles:9
Fumble recoveries:4
Interceptions:12
Defensive touchdowns:3
Player stats at NFL.com

Babineaux is most notable for his game-saving effort in the 2006 NFC Wild Card game when he tackled Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo on a fourth down scramble just short of the first-down marker after Romo fumbled the snap for what might have been a game-winning field goal for the Cowboys. He also intercepted a Drew Bledsoe pass against the Cowboys in 2005 with three seconds remaining, allowing his kicker to kick the game-winning field goal as time expired.

College career

Babineaux was Dopke.com’s National Special Teams Performer of the Year, was a second team selection on the D2Football.com All-America team, was a first team All-South Region pick on defense, and was a first team All-GSC defensive back. He tied two NCAA Division II records, set two GSC records and tied another, and set two school records for Southern Arkansas University.[2]

Professional career

Seattle Seahawks

Babineaux was signed as an undrafted free agent out of Southern Arkansas University on April 29, 2004. He was a member of the practice squad following training camp, and signed to the active roster on November 26, 2004. In Seattle, he was known as "Big Play Babs".[3] He earned this nickname after a game-changing interception against the Dallas Cowboys on October 23, 2005. He intercepted a pass by quarterback Drew Bledsoe and returned the ball to the Cowboys' 32 yard-line with five seconds left in the game, setting up a game-winning Josh Brown field goal.[4]

On January 6, 2007, late in the final quarter of the Wild Card Round game against the Dallas Cowboys during the 2007 NFL playoffs, the Cowboys attempted a 19 yard field goal. Babineaux made a diving, game-saving ankle tackle of Dallas quarterback and place kick holder Tony Romo, who was scrambling to the end zone with the football after bobbling the snap for what might have been a winning field goal. The tackle stopped Romo inches short of a first down, and about a yard shy of a touchdown. As a result, Seattle took possession on downs and won the game by a score of 21-20 and advanced to the Divisional Round.[5]

In September 2007, Babineaux signed a five-year extension to remain with the Seahawks. The deal was worth an aggregate value of between $10-$17 million. While he could have tested the free agent market, Babineaux's loyalty to the Seahawks organization and the fans of Seattle, along with his desire to lead the Seahawks back to the Super Bowl, were all factors in keeping the versatile defensive back in Seattle.[6] During the 2008 NFC Wild Card Game against the Redskins, he made an interception and returned it 57 yards for a touchdown which secured a win for the Seahawks.[7] Babineaux used his versatility to play cornerback, safety, and special teams.

Babineaux was suspended for the first game of the 2008 season for violating the league's substance abuse policy.[8] The Seahawks opened the season away at Buffalo, losing 34-10.[9] In 2009, Babineaux became the starting free safety after Brian Russell was released and subsequently signed in Jacksonville. In 2010, Earl Thomas became the starting free safety, forcing Babineaux to go back to a backup role.[10] He mainly played in the nickel and dime defense as a cornerback. One of the Seahawks' formations (the "Nickel Babs") was named after him.[11] He also was a key special team player. He finished the season with 46 tackles, 1.5 sacks, a forced fumbled, and two interceptions. He also scored a safety, the first of his career.[12]

Tennessee Titans

Babineaux signed with the Tennessee Titans on August 4, 2011.[13] On October 2, 2011, in a game against the Cleveland Browns, Babineaux picked off Colt McCoy and returned the interception 97 yards for a touchdown.[14][15] He re-signed with the Titans in March 2012, this time for a two-year deal worth up to $5 million.[16] Babineaux was released by the Titans on March 12, 2013.[17]

Babineaux retired from the NFL after the 2014 season.[18] He did the Pregame and Postgame Seahawk show for 710 ESPN Seattle during the 2015 season.

Personal life

Jordan is the younger brother of former Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux and has a daughter, Jaida Babineaux.[19][20]

References
  1. "Babineaux on Pro-Football-Reference". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved February 1, 2008.
  2. Jameson, Harold (January 14, 2004). "Lewis, Babineaux Collect More All-America Honors" (PDF). saumag.edu. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
  3. Boyle, John (September 9, 2009). "'Big Play Babs' Doesn't Want to Lose His Nickname". www.kitsapsun.com. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
  4. "Cowboys vs. Seahawks - Game Recap - October 23, 2005 - ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
  5. "Romo's gaffe helps hand wild-card victory to Seahawks - USATODAY.com". usatoday30.usatoday.com. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
  6. "Seahawks give versatile DB Babineaux new deal". ESPN.com. September 18, 2007. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
  7. "Redskins vs. Seahawks - Game Recap - January 5, 2008 - ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
  8. "Seahawks | Seahawks | Rocky Bernard, Jordan Babineaux to miss opener | Seattle Times Newspaper". seattletimes.com. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
  9. "Seahawks vs. Bills - Game Recap - September 7, 2008 - ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
  10. "Safety in numbers". Seattle Seahawks. May 6, 2010. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
  11. Beekers, Thomas (July 15, 2011). "My Name is Big Play Babs, I Only Do Everything". Field Gulls. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
  12. "Jordan Babineaux: Career Stats at NFL.com". www.nfl.com. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
  13. "Agent: Babineaux Agrees to Terms With Titans". www.titansonline.com. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
  14. "Game Notes". www.titansonline.com. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
  15. "Babineaux's pick six". www.titansonline.com. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
  16. "Safety Babineaux Re-Signs With Titans". www.titansonline.com. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
  17. Garrison, Jason (March 13, 2013). "NFL free agency: Titans release Jordan Babineaux, Mitch Petrus". SBNation.com. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
  18. Boling, Dave. "Jordan Babineaux's big play topical whenever Seahawks meet Cowboys". The News Tribune. Retrieved November 20, 2017.
  19. "A battle of brothers". Seattle Seahawks. December 16, 2010. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
  20. "Tennessee Titans: Jordan Babineaux". www.titansonline.com. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
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