Pete Banaszak

Did You Know?

• Banaszak worked for Ryder and REA Express during offseasons and owned an oil bulk plant in Crivitz.
• He was a victim of the Technical Equities Corporation investment fraud in the 1980s.
• He had a hole in one in 2023 at Kennsington Golf Club in Canfield, Ohio, on the 17th hole using a 3 hybrid.

Early life

Banaszak was born in Crivitz, Wisconsin, and attended Crivitz High School, where he played football, basketball, and track and field. He was an honor roll student and all-conference as a halfback and linebacker. As a senior, he stood 6 feet tall and weighed 200 pounds. While in high school, he considered becoming a Catholic priest, having an uncle and cousin who were priests, but chose college after receiving a football scholarship.

College career

Banaszak received a football scholarship to the University of Miami, recruited by assistant head coach Walt Kichefski, who was from Rhinelander, Wisconsin, about 30 miles from Crivitz. He played on the freshman team in 1962, totaling 150 yards on 37 carries against Florida State and Florida, with three of Miami's four touchdowns in those games. As a sophomore fullback in 1963, he led Miami in rushing with 461 yards on 97 carries, adding 18 receptions for 201 yards and three total touchdowns.

His breakout game came against Kentucky, gaining 90 yards on 19 carries in a 20–14 win. As a junior in 1964, leg injuries limited him to 173 rushing yards on 55 carries and four touchdowns. As a senior in 1965, he again led Miami in rushing with 473 yards on 111 attempts and four rushing touchdowns, adding eight receptions for 65 yards and one receiving touchdown. He finished his three-year varsity career with 263 carries for 1,107 yards and nine touchdowns, plus 35 receptions for 356 yards and three touchdowns. He was chosen the Hurricanes most valuable player as a senior.

Professional career

The Oakland Raiders selected Banaszak in the fifth round of the 1966 AFL draft, 59th overall. He played sparingly in 1966, with four rushing attempts and special teams duty. In 1967, he was a reserve until leading rusher Clem Daniels broke his ankle on November 19; Banaszak started the remaining five games. In his first start against the defending AFL champion Kansas City Chiefs, he led the Raiders with 81 yards on 13 carries and a touchdown, plus four receptions for 27 yards.

He had 71 rushing yards and 56 receiving yards in a win over the Houston Oilers on December 10, and 86 rushing yards and 73 receiving yards the following week against the New York Jets, including a 72-yard reception. He started the 1967 AFL Championship Game, a 40–7 victory over the Oilers, rushing for 116 yards on 15 carries. He started Super Bowl II against the Green Bay Packers, gaining 16 rushing yards on six carries and 69 receiving yards on four receptions, but also had a fumble that led to Packers points.

In 1968, he started 11 games and was third on the Raiders in rushing with 362 yards on 91 carries and four touchdowns, adding 15 receptions for 182 yards. He had three carries for six yards and a touchdown in the 1968 AFL Championship Game loss to the New York Jets. In 1969, he started four games, totaling 377 yards on 88 carries, with 17 receptions for 119 yards and three receiving touchdowns. He had two rushes and two receptions in the 1969 AFL Championship Game loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. He was injured in 1970, with only 21 rushing attempts and one reception, and did not start a game.

Legacy and honors

Banaszak was inducted into the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame in 1983 and the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame in 1990, an honor he considered a career highlight. He was known for having a nose for the goal line and was called 'Rooster' by teammates and fans. He started 31 times in 173 games, attributing his longevity to not being a regular starter. Through the 2021 season, he ranked second in Raiders history for most rushing touchdowns, behind Marcus Allen. Quarterback Ken Stabler called him the best short-yardage runner he ever saw. Offensive tackle Art Shell said Banaszak was the toughest guy on short-yardage situations, and head coach John Rauch said, 'Give me 40 Pete Banaszaks and I’ll win you the Super Bowl.'