Bob Babich obit

Miami University legend, former Cleveland Browns linebacker, Bob Babich dies at 74

 

He was not on the list.

Bob Babich, the only Miami University player in the College Football Hall of Fame, died April 3 in Clairemont, California, the National Football Foundation announced Wednesday.

Babich played at Miami for Bo Schembechler where he was First Team All-Mid-American conference in 1967 and 1968 and was the MAC Defensive Player of the Year in 1968. In addition, Babich was named First Team All-American in 1968 by the American Football Coaches Association, the Sporting News, Playboy and Time Magazine.

Following his time at Miami, Babich was a first round pick of the San Diego Chargers in 1969. He played for the Chargers from 1970-72 and the Cleveland Browns from 1973-78. In six seasons with the Browns, he missed only three games, all in 1975.

Babich was inducted into the Miami University Athletics Hall of Fame in 1975 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 1994.

Babich decided to play for coach Bo Schembechler at Miami (Ohio). He was a first-team All-America linebacker for Miami University, known then as the Redskins. He graduated in 1969. He was voted the "Most Valuable Player" award twice by his teammates and selected as Miami's "Athlete of the Year" for the 1968-69 academic year. A two-time unanimous all-Mid-American Conference linebacker, he was also voted the "Defensive Player of the Year" in the MAC as he captained the 1968 team. Babich was selected First-team All-America by the American Football Coaches Association, The Sporting News and Time magazine. He played in the American, North-South and Senior bowls.

"An exceptional hard hitting linebacker, Bob Babich made his mark in Oxford as one of the best in the country," said NFF Chairman Archie Manning. "He was great guy to be around with a great sense of humor and full of great stories. We are deeply saddened to learn of his passing and our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends."