Babb attended Odessa High School before moving on to the University of Texas.
[1] The school also recognized him by creating the annual "Gene Babb Award" for the outstanding football player.
In July 1960, he was traded to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for a fifth-round draft choice (#58-Clark Miller).
Babb was primarily a reserve fullback, starting in five games during the Dallas Cowboys 1960 inaugural season, while being used both as a runner and pass receiver.
[5] In 1962, he signed with the Houston Oilers of the American Football League as a free agent, where he was a backup at middle linebacker for two seasons.