Molinaro was born in Hatfield, Pennsylvania, on April 27, 1981. He attended Bethlehem Catholic High School in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, where he was a USA Today "Honorable Mention All-American" and a "First-team Associated Press Big School All-State" selection in 1997 and again in 1998 during his junior and senior years. In 1997, he was one of five finalists for the "Pennsylvania Lineman of the Year Award", posting 46 tackles, 17 of them solo, 12.5 sacks, four tackles for losses, 15 forced passes, and one batted pass during the season.
During his senior year at Bethlehem Catholic in 1998, Molinaro recorded 18 solo tackles, 29 assists, 11.5 sacks, 8 forced passes, and 4 batted passes, helping lead Bethlehem Catholic to a 7–4 record in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference, one of the nation's most competitive high school divisions. Molinaro was a three-year starter for Bethlehem Catholic, earning four letters in football as an offensive and defensive tackle.
College career
Molinaro was recruited out of Bethlehem Catholic by the University of Notre Dame. After redshirting his first season, Molinaro played as a reserve defensive tackle for Notre Dame in 2000, during which he posted a solo tackle.
In 2001, Molinaro appeared in six games, seeing most of his action on special teams, but starting at right tackle in Notre Dame's game against Navy. On 2002, Molinaro appeared in every game for the Fighting Irish and had two starts, mostly playing offensive lineman and appearing on special teams. In 2003, Molinaro started every game for the Fighting Irish and graded out at 83.1 percent for blocking consistency, posting 104 knockdown blocks. He was named both an "All-Independent" and "Super Sleeper" selection by The NFL Draft Report following his senior year at Notre Dame.
Professional career
Washington Redskins
Molinaro entered the 2004 NFL draft and was selected in the sixth round, with the 180th overall selection, by the Washington Redskins.[1] With the Redskins, he appeared in 24 games in his first two NFL seasons (2004 and 2005). In 2005, he helped lead the Redskins to their first NFL playoff appearance since 1999.
Molinaro is active in commercial, industrial, and retail real estate development. In 2015, he was nominated for the “40 under 40” list in the Piedmont Triad region of North Carolina.
In 2013, he married his wife Erin with whom he has a son, James Anthony Molinaro III (born in 2016). They reside in Summerfield, North Carolina.
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