Tony Banks (quarterback)
Encyclopedia
Anthony "Tony" Lamar Banks (born April 5, 1973 in San Diego, California
) is a former professional
American football
quarterback
.
, and was a letterman in football
, basketball
, and baseball
.
' Class A team in Ft. Myers, Florida, before enrolling at San Diego Mesa College
in San Diego. He played there two years before transferring to Michigan State University
.
Banks places among the all-time record holders at Michigan State. He ranks sixth in passing completion percentage, tenth in career passing yards, and tenth in passing touchdowns. Banks was the first quarterback selected in the 1996 NFL Draft
.
In the October 2010 issue of Sports Illustrated, former NFL agent Josh Luchs alleges that he paid Banks 'several hundred dollars a month', while Banks was at Michigan State, a serious violation of NCAA eligibility rules if true.
by the St. Louis Rams
and soon found himself the starter
, in which he set a record of fumbles in a season with 21. Three years of inconsistent play led to his trade to the Baltimore Ravens
.
. The Ravens started Scott Mitchell
and Stoney Case
early in 1999, but neither worked out. So the team turned to Banks. In 1999, he threw a career-high 17 TDs next to only 8 interceptions. He also mustered 2,136 passing yards. In early 2000 Banks played well, but found his old demons waiting in October. His fumbles and INTs cost the team three games. He was replaced by backup Trent Dilfer
, who took the team to a Super Bowl XXXV
. Banks got a Super Bowl ring, but couldn’t claim much credit. He finished 2000 with 8 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. He was released in the off-season.
, Banks was signed by the Dallas Cowboys
to replace the recently released and later retired Troy Aikman
; however, on August 15, 2001, Banks was abruptly released by the Cowboys who chose instead to go with rookie Quincy Carter
.
during Marty Schottenheimer
's one year tenure as head coach. While he was with the Redskins, he became the first quarterback to go from an 0-5 record to a 5-5 record. He was not brought back.
. He was the second-string quarterback for the Houston Texans
behind David Carr
. During his four year tenture with the team, Banks received minimal playing time. On February 28, 2006, Banks was released by the Houston Texans
. He never returned to the NFL.
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
) is a former professional
Professional sports
Professional sports, as opposed to amateur sports, are sports in which athletes receive payment for their performance. Professional athleticism has come to the fore through a combination of developments. Mass media and increased leisure have brought larger audiences, so that sports organizations...
American football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
.
High school years
Banks attended Hoover High School in San Diego, CaliforniaSan Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
, and was a letterman in football
High school football
High school football, in North America, refers to the game of football as it is played in the United States and Canada. It ranks among the most popular interscholastic sports in both of these nations....
, basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
, and baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
.
Post high school and college years
Banks played right field for the Minnesota TwinsMinnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
' Class A team in Ft. Myers, Florida, before enrolling at San Diego Mesa College
San Diego Mesa College
San Diego Mesa College is a public, two-year community college perched on a mesa in the Clairemont neighborhood of San Diego, California in the United States. It is the largest community college in the city of San Diego and part of the San Diego Community College District along with San Diego City...
in San Diego. He played there two years before transferring to Michigan State University
Michigan State University
Michigan State University is a public research university in East Lansing, Michigan, USA. Founded in 1855, it was the pioneer land-grant institution and served as a model for future land-grant colleges in the United States under the 1862 Morrill Act.MSU pioneered the studies of packaging,...
.
Banks places among the all-time record holders at Michigan State. He ranks sixth in passing completion percentage, tenth in career passing yards, and tenth in passing touchdowns. Banks was the first quarterback selected in the 1996 NFL Draft
1996 NFL Draft
The 1996 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 20–21, 1996...
.
In the October 2010 issue of Sports Illustrated, former NFL agent Josh Luchs alleges that he paid Banks 'several hundred dollars a month', while Banks was at Michigan State, a serious violation of NCAA eligibility rules if true.
St. Louis Rams
Tony Banks was drafted in the second round of the 1996 NFL Draft1996 NFL Draft
The 1996 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 20–21, 1996...
by the St. Louis Rams
St. Louis Rams
The St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,...
and soon found himself the starter
Starting lineup
A starting lineup in sports is an official list of the set of players who will actively participate in the event when the game begins. The players in the starting lineup are commonly referred to as starters, whereas the others are substitutes or bench players.The starters are commonly the best...
, in which he set a record of fumbles in a season with 21. Three years of inconsistent play led to his trade to the Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his...
.
Baltimore Ravens
Tony Banks arguably had the most success of his up and down career with the Baltimore RavensBaltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his...
. The Ravens started Scott Mitchell
Scott Mitchell
Scott Mitchell may refer to:*Scott Mitchell , former quarterback*Scott Mitchell , footballer*Scott Mitchell , offensive lineman in the CFL...
and Stoney Case
Stoney Case
Stoney Jarrod Case is a quarterback in the Arena Football League, and a former National Football League quarterback with four teams.-High school and college:...
early in 1999, but neither worked out. So the team turned to Banks. In 1999, he threw a career-high 17 TDs next to only 8 interceptions. He also mustered 2,136 passing yards. In early 2000 Banks played well, but found his old demons waiting in October. His fumbles and INTs cost the team three games. He was replaced by backup Trent Dilfer
Trent Dilfer
Trent Farris Dilfer is a former football quarterback in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers sixth overall in the 1994 NFL Draft and went on to play for the Baltimore Ravens, Seattle Seahawks, Cleveland Browns and San Francisco 49ers. He played college football...
, who took the team to a Super Bowl XXXV
Super Bowl XXXV
Super Bowl XXXV was played on January 28, 2001 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida to decide the National Football League champion following the 2000 regular season. The American Football Conference champion Baltimore Ravens defeated the National Football Conference champion New York...
. Banks got a Super Bowl ring, but couldn’t claim much credit. He finished 2000 with 8 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. He was released in the off-season.
Dallas Cowboys
Leading into the 2001 season2001 NFL season
The 2001 NFL season was the 82nd regular season of the National Football League.Following a pattern set in 1999, the first week of the season was permanently moved to the weekend following Labor Day...
, Banks was signed by the Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
to replace the recently released and later retired Troy Aikman
Troy Aikman
Troy Kenneth Aikman is a former American football quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys in the National Football League. The number one overall draft pick in 1989, Aikman played twelve consecutive seasons as quarterback with the Cowboys...
; however, on August 15, 2001, Banks was abruptly released by the Cowboys who chose instead to go with rookie Quincy Carter
Quincy Carter
Lavonya Quintelle "Quincy" Carter is a former American football quarterback. He was drafted in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys...
.
Washington Redskins
Later that year, Tony Banks signed with the Washington RedskinsWashington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
during Marty Schottenheimer
Marty Schottenheimer
Martin Edward "Marty" Schottenheimer is the current head coach of the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League. Over his career, he has served as head coach of the Cleveland Browns, Kansas City Chiefs, Washington Redskins, and San Diego Chargers. He has the most wins of any NFL coach...
's one year tenure as head coach. While he was with the Redskins, he became the first quarterback to go from an 0-5 record to a 5-5 record. He was not brought back.
Houston Texans
Tony Banks signed with the Houston TexansHouston Texans
The Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston, Texas. The team is currently a member of the Southern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. He was the second-string quarterback for the Houston Texans
Houston Texans
The Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston, Texas. The team is currently a member of the Southern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
behind David Carr
David Carr
David Duke Carr is an American football quarterback for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Houston Texans first overall in the 2002 NFL Draft...
. During his four year tenture with the team, Banks received minimal playing time. On February 28, 2006, Banks was released by the Houston Texans
Houston Texans
The Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston, Texas. The team is currently a member of the Southern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. He never returned to the NFL.
External links
- Banks's biography, from NFLPlayers.com
- Current Stats
- More Current Stats