Former Oakland Raiders standout Pete Banaszak, a 13-year veteran who helped the franchise win its first Super Bowl, died at 82, the team announced.
“The Raiders Family mourns the passing of Pete Banaszak, whose toughness, competitive spirit, and dedication embodied a legendary era of Raiders football and made him a cherished member of the Silver and Black,” the team said in a statement released Saturday.
The Raiders also remembered the late running back’s deep pride in his Polish heritage and extended their condolences to his loved ones.
“A Wisconsin native, Banaszak was fiercely proud of his Polish heritage and was inducted into the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame in 1990. The deepest condolences of the entire Raider Nation are with Pete’s wife Sue, daughters Rebecca and Amy, grandsons Luke, Austin, and Connor, and all of his loved ones.”
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Banaszak was primarily a reserve during his career, starting just 36 of the 173 NFL games he played. Even so, he made the most of his opportunities and etched his name into Raiders lore during his 13 seasons with the famed Silver and Black.
Banaszak made his final appearance with the Raiders in 1978. His best season came in 1975, when he rushed for a league-high 16 touchdowns and a career-best 672 yards in his 10th year with the franchise. Those 16 rushing touchdowns remain a Raiders single-season record.
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Banaszak crossed the goal line twice in the Raiders’ Super Bowl XI victory over the Minnesota Vikings. The win marked the first time the franchise won the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
Banaszak also played a key role in one of the NFL’s most famous plays, the “Holy Roller.” In Week 2 of what would be his final season, the Raiders trailed the Chargers 20-14 with seconds remaining when Ken Stabler fumbled while seemingly being sacked. Banaszak recovered and batted the ball forward, giving tight end Dave Casper a chance to make the recovery in the end zone. The extra point secured Oakland’s improbable 21-20 win.
Banaszak finished his storied NFL career with 3,772 rushing yards, 1,022 receiving yards and 52 touchdowns. He is also credited with six touchdowns in the playoffs.