Falcons Vice President of Football Communications Reggie Roberts spotlights a player each week in a series of on-the-spot, off-beat questions in a weekly segment featured on AtlantaFalcons.com called “Behind the Facemask.” This week’s featured player is Falcons starting defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux. “Babs” and the rest of the Falcons will look to lock up Atlanta’s second consecutive trip to the NFC playoffs on Monday Night when the Birds swoop into the Mercedes-Benz Superdome to face the New Orleans Saints. Kickoff is set for 8:30 p.m. We caught up with “Babs” following Friday afternoon’s practice to discuss playing against the Saints, his incredible charity work in the community, the season Christmas season, and where his ideal vacation spot is.

Reggie Roberts: It’s Saints week…a lot riding on the outcome of Monday Night’s game in New Orleans. What’s your week been like?

Jonathan Babineaux: Everybody on our team knows about the rivalry we have with the Saints. Coach Smith and Coach Payton (Saints head coach Sean Payton) coach their respective teams almost identically. We go at it. They know us and we know them. It’s like a bitter sibling rivalry when the two teams get together. Neither team likes to lose so we both are going to lay it all on the line and go at it.

RR: You have been recognized and lauded as one of the most charitable professional athletes in the National Football League. Tell us why giving back is so very important.

JB: It started when I was a little kid. I was once in the same situation as a lot of the kids that I work with. Being from a single-parent household with four other siblings, I know and understand how it is to live check to check. Fortunately, we had a lot of friends and family who helped us and made us feel special especially during this time of the year around the holidays. It’s a great opportunity for me to be in the position that I am to bless those who are less fortunate because I know how it was first hand. It warms my heart to help others, and I am going to continue to do it. I am blessed be in the position that I am in, and I just want to give back to those who are in need.

RR: The word on the street is that you and the lovely Mrs. Blair Babineaux are world travelers. Any truth to that?

JB: Wifey and I went to Tahiti on our honeymoon. That was cool. We’ve also been all over the Caribbean. The one place that I haven’t taken her is to Europe. I plan to take her to Paris and Rome. I’m looking forward to the romantic scenery that Paris is famous for. I might speak a little French to her when I get there.

RR: What’s on your iPad?

JB: I’ve got a ton of old school stuff on there. Marvin Gaye, The Isley Brothers. (Babs breaks out with his best Ronald Isley impression and starts to sing the chorus to one of the group’s hit songs “Groove With You.”)

RR: That’s pretty impressive.

JB: Come on, Reg. You know how I do it.

RR: How many songs are on your iPad?

JB: About 5,000.

RR: What’s your favorite car?

JB: My first car – my 2005 Escalade EXT.

RR: Rolex or Tag Heuer wristwatch?

JB: I’m a Rolex guy, but I am actually wearing a Breitling watch right now. My brother Jordan (safety for the Tennessee Titans) got me a little Breitling watch with a little light (diamonds) to it. It’s got a little bling to it. He introduced me to one of his jewelers, and I told the guy what I wanted and how I wanted it to look. I told him to make it look like little bro’s watch and put some flavor in it. It’s got some black stones and some white stones in there that make it look like something. It’s hot. I enjoy wearing it.

RR: Custom-made or off the rack suits for you?

JB: I’ve got to go with custom made suits. I’ve got 10 of them.

RR: French cuffs or regular cuffs?

JB: French cuffs.

RR: Day games or night games?

JB: I like night games.

RR: Why do you like night games?

JB: Primetime, baby. Everybody’s game is on during the day. You can flip through the channels and catch everybody, but when it’s primetime, you get everybody’s attention. There is only one game on at night.

RR: What’s it like playing on the DL with John Abraham, who is the NFL’s second-most active sacker with 111?

JB: It’s funny that you asked that. When I was in college (Babs played collegiately at the University of Iowa), Abe was just getting into the league and was a first-round draft choice of the New York Jets. I was such a fan of his that I bought his jersey when the Jets drafted him. Five years ago, he comes here as a free agent and I’ve gotten a chance to not only play next to a great player, but I’ve gotten a chance to learn from the guy, as well. He’s a straight-forward guy. No matter what the situation is, Abe is going to give you an honest answer.

RR: You were miked up for NFL Films last week during the Thursday Night Game against Jacksonville on NFL Network. We reviewed the wire and it’s pretty funny. Were you conscious that you were miked up?

JB: At times I remembered that I was miked up, but for the most part, I’d forgotten about it and I was just out there playing my game. I was singing, I was talking to the officials, and I think I was talking to Smitty, as well. Our fans who get a chance to see that wire will see what I’m really like on the field on game day.