NFL

Babineaux holds the line for needy

LexisNexis Feed TheAtlantaJournal-Constitution
Share This Story

Updated Aug 4, 2009 4:30 AM ET
     
 
Jonathan Babineaux, a 288-pound defensive tackle for the Falcons , is stepping into the shoes of a former teammate who weighed 100 pounds less. Babineaux is showing up at charitable events as often as former running back Warrick Dunn did. Dunn became a community favorite for his activism, such as his program that built more than 70 homes for single mothers here and in other cities. The Falcons released Dunn in 2007. "It kind of seems me and Warrick were in the same boat growing up," Babineaux said. They lived in single-parent homes --- Babineaux in Port Arthur, Texas, and Dunn in Baton Rouge, La. --- where times could be hard. "He had his hands on the idea of what it was like to struggle from week to week, and I guess he realized the importance of helping and giving back," Babineaux said. "I looked at what he was doing, and really, really liked it." Babineaux has stepped up, delivering meals with Meals on Wheels here (his grandparents in Texas were Meals on Wheels recipients), donating 125 pair of shoes to the Atlanta Day Shelter for Women and Children, visiting sick kids in a hospital and giving out $8,000 worth of Falcons tickets last year. He and his brother, Seattle Seahawks defensive back Jordan Babineaux, were inducted into the Port Arthur Hall of Fame in 2007 for their work through the Babineaux Family Foundation, and the two have adopted the Lupus Foundation to support. They don't have a family member who suffers from the disease. Jonathan Babineaux said it just seemed like a cause that was not getting much attention from anyone else. Cynthia Stone, the child-care coordinator at the Atlanta Day Shelter for Women and Children, said it was a fun day when Babineaux showed up, bringing teammates Chauncey Davis and Kindal Moorehead (since released by the Falcons ) with him. "That was a big deal for these kids," Stone said. He spent a couple of hours playing with the children, signing autographs and giving out shoes. "I was impressed he took up that much time here," she said. On July 11, Babineaux showed up to hand out backpacks stuffed with school supplies for the Atlanta agency Hosea Feed the Hungry. "He was there for a good part of the day," said Andrew McDill, an organization spokesman. "Kids look up to sports figures. It's great when he comes out. That kind of community support is important." Babineaux said he has been blessed and is trying to spread it around. "It's nice at times like this to see people smile," he said.
Tagged: Falcons, Jordan Babineaux, Seahawks, Jonathan Babineaux

Related Stories

Giants Super Bowl Champs Gear

Trending Now

Stories | Photos | Lists | Videos

NFL Videos

Coach Speak: Best of Season 3 Posted: Feb 07, 2012
Season 3 of Coach Speak is a wrap. Check out the best of this past year.

Online OT: Super Bowl XLVI recap Posted: Feb 06, 2012
Charles Davis and Laura Okmin recap the Giants' 21-17 Super Bowl XLVI victory ov...

Schein 60: Peyton finished Posted: Feb 03, 2012
Adam Schein says Peyton Manning is done as an NFL quarterback.

MORE FOXSPORTS VIDEO »
St. Jude

Fox Sports Store

    itemName itemURL imageSrc price itemDescription
    Dallas Cowboys #82 Jason Witten Navy Blue Player T-shirt http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Dallas_Cowboys/browse/featuredproduct/346245/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_346000/FF_346245_xl.jpg&w=100 25.95 Dallas Cowboys #82 Jason Witten Navy Blue Player T-shirt
    New York Giants Royal Blue Critical Victory V Hoodie Sweatshirt http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_New_York_Giants/browse/featuredproduct/676913/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_676000/ff_676913_xl.jpg&w=100 49.95 New York Giants Royal Blue Critical Victory V Hoodie Sweatshirt
    San Francisco 49ers Charcoal 1st & Goal IV Pullover Hoodie Sweatshirt http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_San_Francisco_49ers/browse/featuredproduct/678811/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_678000/ff_678811_xl.jpg&w=100 49.95 San Francisco 49ers Charcoal 1st & Goal IV Pullover Hoodie Sweatshirt
    Carolina Panthers Championship Series Watch http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Carolina_Panthers/browse/featuredproduct/722612/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_722000/ff_722612_xl.jpg&w=100 39.95 Carolina Panthers Championship Series Watch
    Reebok Aaron Rodgers Green Bay Packers Replica Jersey - White - http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Green_Bay_Packers/browse/featuredproduct/744236/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_744000/ff_744236_xl.jpg&w=100 59.99 Reebok Aaron Rodgers Green Bay Packers Replica Jersey - White -
    Reebok Calvin Johnson Detroit Lions #81 Black Megatron Player Flex Fit Hat http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Detroit_Lions/browse/featuredproduct/756044/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_756000/ff_756044_xl.jpg&w=100 25.95 Reebok Calvin Johnson Detroit Lions #81 Black Megatron Player Flex Fit Hat
    New England Patriots 2011 AFC East Division Champions Locker Room T-Shirt - White http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_New_England_Patriots/browse/featuredproduct/775172/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_775000/ff_775172_xl.jpg&w=100 21.95 New England Patriots 2011 AFC East Division Champions Locker Room T-Shirt - Whit..
    Reebok Tim Tebow Denver Broncos #15 Replica Jersey - White http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Denver_Broncos/browse/featuredproduct/775597/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_775000/ff_775597_xl.jpg&w=100 59.99 Reebok Tim Tebow Denver Broncos #15 Replica Jersey - White
Microsoft© 2012 Microsoft