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12th year, first Super Bowl for ex-Hawkeye Jonathan Babineaux

Jan. 23, 2017 12:34 pm, Updated: Jan. 23, 2017 2:34 pm
Jonathan Babineaux persevered, and now he's going to the Super Bowl.
The former Iowa defensive tackle is going to his first Super Bowl in 12 years as an Atlanta Falcon. Atlanta disposed of the Green Bay Packers Sunday in the NFC championship game.
Babineaux, 35, is the longest-tenured Falcon at 12 seasons. He was a second-round draft pick of Atlanta in 2005. The previous year, he was a first-team All-Big Ten player for the Hawkeyes. He is from Port Arthur, Texas.
Babineaux was a converted fullback at Iowa. He had two pass-receptions in his career before making the switch to defense.
He was injury-plagued early in his Iowa career, including a broken leg in 2001 spring practice. But his college career quickly stabilized. He started 11 games for Iowa's 2002 Big Ten-champions. He has missed just seven games over his 12 NFL seasons, having played in 185 regular-season contests and started 133. He is fifth on the Falcons' all-time list of games played.
Babineaux's role has diminished somewhat this season, but he did start six regular-season games and played almost 40 percent of his team's defensive snaps. He was a notable presence in Atlanta's 36-20 win over Seattle in the NFC semifinals when he sacked Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson and had two tackles that stuffed running back Thomas Rawls.
Earlier this month, it was announced Babineaux was selected to receive President Obama's Volunteer Service Award. Among his contributions are hosting and serving as a teacher's assistant during a horse therapy program for students with disabilities; playing Santa Claus at a homeless shelter for teens; donating a computer lab at a group home; giving less fortunate toddlers computers for Christmas; holding a diaper drive for homeless infants; and delivering Meals on Wheels to the elderly and Christmas gifts to refugees from Cambodia and Laos.
Last week, Babineaux had this to say about being one win from a Super Bowl:
'It would mean a lot,' he said. 'To have the opportunity to play for the Lombardi Trophy, finally after 12 years ... it would mean a lot.'
Another former Hawkeye, defensive end Adrian Clayborn, plays for the Falcons. He suffered a torn biceps in the playoff win over Seattle and had his season ended. He had five quarterback sacks for Atlanta this season.
Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux (95) chases Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson. (John David Mercer/USA TODAY Sports)