Career
Foreign more than 50 years, Ricca held the distinction of being the last Georgetown University graduate to play in the NFL. The promotion of Alex Buzbee from the Washington Redskins practice squad to the active roster on December 19, 2007 ended the 51-year drought of Hoyas in the league. Ricca played for Georgetown from 1947 to 1949. Ricca—considered a behemoth for his era at 6"4", 270 lbs.—logged 47 games for the Redskins from 1951 to 1954, playing primarily at Middle Guard.
He was traded to Detroit prior to the 1955 season.
Ricca played in only six 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 60-game career. After retiring from professional football, Ricca founded Jim Ricca and Associates, an advertising agency in Washington, District of Columbia, 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 and played professionally in the Canadian Football League and World Football League. Three of Ricca"s grandsons were college quarterbacks. Kevin and Keith Ricca both hold records for passing at Catholic University.
Juris Doctor Ricca was twice named Virginia College Division Football Player of the Year at Hampden-Sydney College.