Gordon Banks (American football)
| No. 80, 87 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position: | Wide receiver | ||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
| Date of birth: | March 12, 1958 | ||||||||
| Place of birth: | Los Angeles, California | ||||||||
| Height: | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | ||||||||
| Weight: | 175 lb (79 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| High school: | Los Angeles (CA) Loyola | ||||||||
| College: | Stanford | ||||||||
| Undrafted: | 1980 | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||||||
| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||||||||
Gordon Gerard Banks (born March 12, 1958 in Los Angeles, California) is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League. He played for the New Orleans Saints from 1980–1981, the Dallas Cowboys from 1985–1988, and for the Oakland Invaders of the short-lived United States Football League (USFL). He played college football at Stanford University.
Early years
Banks attended Loyola High School in the Pico-Union neighborhood, lettering in football and track. He would later accept a scholarship from Stanford University, where he practiced football and track, becoming a standout in the latter.
Professional career
New Orleans Saints
Banks was not selected in the 1980 NFL Draft and was signed as an undrafted free agent by the New Orleans Saints. He played mainly on special teams before being waived on October 12, 1981.[1]
San Diego Charges
On July 8, 1982, he signed with the San Diego Chargers as a free agent.[2] He was cut on August 31.[3]
Oakland Invaders (USFL)
In 1983, he signed as a free agent with the Oakland Invaders of the United States Football League, where he was a teammate of Anthony Carter. In his first year he registered 61 receptions for 855 yards and 2 touchdowns. In 1984, he tallied 64 receptions (first on the team) for 937 yards (first on the team) and 5 touchdowns.
In 1985, the Invaders were merged with the Michigan Panthers and he became a teammate of Anthony Carter and Bobby Hebert. He recorded 62 receptions (second on the team) for 1,115 receiving yards (second on the team) and 5 touchdowns. Banks finished as one of the career receiving leaders in USFL history, recording 187 receptions for 2,907 yards.
Dallas Cowboys
When the USFL folded in 1985, he signed in mid-season as a free agent with the Dallas Cowboys. At the time, he was the team's fastest player.[4] He was activated On December 5 and played in 2 games.[5]
He appeared in all 16 games in 1986, registering 17 receptions for 202 yards and 27 punt returns for 160 yards. The next season, he had 15 receptions in the first 5 games, but suffered an injury that ended his season and eventually his professional career. He was waived on August 28, 1988.[6]
Personal life
Banks is currently the Senior Pastor for Overcomer Covenant Church in Federal Way, Washington.
References
- ↑ "Transactions". Retrieved February 19, 2016.
- ↑ "Transactions". Retrieved February 19, 2016.
- ↑ "Transactions". Retrieved February 19, 2016.
- ↑ "Banks Burning Path In Front of Sherrard". Retrieved February 19, 2016.
- ↑ "For The Record". Retrieved February 19, 2016.
- ↑ "Cowboys Cut Banks, Titensor". Retrieved February 19, 2016.