In 1942, Lookabaugh was briefly on the Maryland varsity football team before being called to service in World War II.[1] He enlisted in the United States Navy and was sent to the Bainbridge Naval Training Center in Maryland, where he played football as a tackle for their military service team.[6] At 6 ft 4 in, he was the tallest player on the Bainbridge football team and was a member until being discharged in December 1945.[7]
After his military service, Lookabaugh was signed by the Washington Redskins of the National Football League (NFL) to play end.[8] At the start of the season, he was released and was sent to the Redskins' farm team, the Wilmington Clippers.[9][10] He appeared in seven games for the Clippers, six as a starter, although statistics are incomplete.[11]
At the end of October, following a Redskins loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, they recalled Lookabaugh from the Clippers.[8][12] He appeared in between three[2] and five[1] games near the end of the season.[13] In the 1946 season with Washington, Lookabaugh caught six passes for 67 yards, averaging 11.2 yards-per-reception while having a long of 19.[2] In the off-season, he played basketball for the Cumberland Amvets.[8]
Lookabaugh was re-signed for the 1947 season and had three touchdowns in an exhibition game.[14] He initially made the team but was later sent back to the Clippers, where he teamed up with quarterbackTommy Mont, whom he had been teammates with at the University of Maryland.[15] Lookabaugh appeared in a total of six NFL games in the 1947 season, catching six passes for 78 yards and his only career touchdown, from all-time great Sammy Baugh, with a long of 31 yards.[2][13][16] His career was ended by a knee injury which affected him for the rest of his life.[13] He finished his NFL career with 9 or 11 games played (sources conflict), 12 receptions for 145 yards and one touchdown.[2][1]
Lookabaugh lived most of his life in Millville, New Jersey and worked as a painting contractor for over 40 years after his NFL career.[17] He was a co-founder of the Holly City Midget Football League and coached there for five years.[18] He was a member of the Trinity United Methodist Church in Millville.[18] Lookabaugh died on May 16, 1993, in Pomona, New Jersey, at the age of 70.[1]
