Jim Ricca

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Jim Ricca
Jim Ricca, circa 1954
Date of birth	October 8, 1927
Place of birth	Brooklyn, New York
Date of death	February 11, 2007
Place of death	Fairfax, Virginia
Height	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight	270 lb (123 kg)
Position(s)	DE, G
College	Georgetown
Career Highlights
Stats
Statistics	DatabaseFootball
Team(s)
1951-1954 1955 1955-1956	Washington Redskins Detroit Lions Philadelphia Eagles

James Emanuel Ricca (October 8, 1927 – February 11, 2007), nicknamed "Big Jim," was a professional American football player. He played defensive end and guard for 6 seasons in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins, Philadelphia Eagles and Detroit Lions.

Contents 1 NFL 1.1 Jersey numbers 2 College 3 Personal 4 External links

[edit] NFL

Ricca was born in Brooklyn, New York. Playing at 6'4", 270 lbs., he logged 47 games for the Redskins from 1951 to 1954, playing primarily at center.

He was traded to Detroit prior to the 1955 season. Ricca played in only 6 games for the Lions before being traded to Philadelphia after a post-game tirade by Detroit head coach Buddy Parker aboard the team plane following a 38-21 loss at San Francisco. He went on to play another season with Philadelphia. He retired after the 1956 season after a career 60 games.

[edit] Jersey numbers

• Washington Redskins (1951-54) - #55
• Detroit Lions (1955) - #75
• Philadelphia Eagles (1955-56) - #71

[edit] College

Ricca holds the distinction of being the last Georgetown University graduate to play in the NFL. He played for the Hoyas from 1947 to 1949.

[edit] Personal

After retiring from professional football, Ricca founded Jim Ricca and Associates, an advertising agency in Washington, D.C., in 1968.

Ricca's son, John Ricca was a 1973 All-American defensive end and team captain at Duke University. He was the 12th-round pick of the New York Jets in the 1974 NFL Draft [1] and played professionally in the Canadian Football League and World Football League. After coaching high school football for many years at St. John's at Prospect Hall in Frederick, Maryland, he became an assistant coach at Catholic University, where his son Keith currently plays [2].

Three of his grandsons were college quarterbacks. Kevin and Keith Ricca both hold records for passing at Catholic University. J.D. Ricca was twice named Virginia College Division Football Player of the Year at Hampden-Sydney College. One of his other grandsons, Patrick Laverty, is an offensive linemen at Catholic University as well. His grandaughters are also accomplished athletes: Jamie Ricca was a 1,000 point scorer at St. John's College High School and played collegiate basketball at Marymount University. Kristi Ricca was a three sport athlete at St. John's College High School and Jacqui Ricca plays lacrosse at Mount St. Mary's University.

[edit] External links

• Jim Ricca obituary, The Washington Post, February 14, 2007

• Riccas are brothers in arms, D3football.com
• "Glory Days: The Past, Present and Future of Hoyas Turned Professional Athletes The Hoya, January 23, 2004
• Jim Ricca and Associates, advertising agency.

Persondata
NAME	Ricca, James Emanuel
ALTERNATIVE NAMES	Ricca, Jim; Big Jim
SHORT DESCRIPTION	American football player; played defensive end and guard
DATE OF BIRTH	October 8, 1927
PLACE OF BIRTH	Brooklyn, New York
DATE OF DEATH	February 11, 2007
PLACE OF DEATH	Fairfax, Virginia