Tony Banks (American football)

Anthony Lamar Banks (born April 5, 1973) is a former American football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 12 seasons. Selected by the St. Louis Rams in the second round of the 1996 NFL Draft, he also was a member of the Baltimore Ravens, Washington Redskins, and Houston Texans. With the Ravens, Banks was part of the team that won the franchise's first Super Bowl title in Super Bowl XXXV.

Tony Banks
No. 3, 12
Position:Quarterback
Personal information
Born: (1973-04-05) April 5, 1973
San Diego, California
Height:6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:229 lb (104 kg)
Career information
High school:San Diego (CA) Hoover
College:Michigan State
NFL Draft:1996 / Round: 2 / Pick: 42
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Pass attempts:2,356
Pass completions:1,278
Percentage:54.2
TD–INT:77–73
Passing Yards:15,315
QB Rating:72.4
Player stats at NFL.com

High school years

Banks attended Hoover High School in San Diego, California, and was a letterman in football, basketball, and baseball.

Post high school and college years

Banks played right field for the Minnesota Twins' 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 claimed he paid Banks 'several hundred dollars a month' while Banks was at Michigan State, a violation of NCAA eligibility rules.[1]

College statistics
Season Team GP Passing
CmpAttPctYdsTDInt
1994Michigan State 1114523860.92,040116
1995Michigan State 915625860.52,089915
Totals2030149660.74,1292021

Professional career

St. Louis Rams

Tony Banks was drafted in the second round of the 1996 NFL Draft by the St. Louis Rams as the first quarterback selected in that year's draft. He soon found himself the starter as a rookie. Banks recorded significant yardage and touchdowns but would also end up setting a record for fumbles that first season, with 21. Due to high expectations, based on his physical gifts, as well as off-field controversy,[2][3] Banks soon found himself the target of criticism from the St. Louis fans and media. After three seasons with the Rams, the team signed Trent Green and then traded Banks to the Ravens for two draft picks.[4]

Baltimore Ravens

Banks accumulated the best statistics of his career with 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. Banks played well in early 2000, but his fumbles and INTs cost the team two games in October. Feeling the offense needed a spark after failing to score a touchdown over an entire month, the team replaced him with backup Trent Dilfer, who would remain the starter through the team's Super Bowl XXXV win. He finished 2000 with 8 touchdowns and 8 interceptions and was released in the off-season.

Dallas Cowboys

Leading into the 2001 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.

Washington Redskins

Later that year, Banks signed with the Washington Redskins during Marty Schottenheimer's one-year tenure as head coach. While with the Redskins, he became the first quarterback to follow an 0–5 start with five straight wins.[5] He was released after the season.

Houston Texans

Tony Banks signed with the Houston Texans. He was the second-string quarterback for the Houston Texans behind David Carr. During his four-year tenure with the team, Banks received minimal playing time. On February 28, 2006, Banks was released by the Texans. He never returned to the NFL.

NFL career statistics
Legend
Won the Super Bowl
Bold Career high

Regular season
Year Team Games Passing Rushing Sacks Fumbles
GPGSCmpAttPctYdsAvgTDIntRtgAttYdsAvgTDSckYdsFumLost
1996STL 141319236852.22,5446.9151571.0612123.50483062111
1997STL 161625248751.73,2546.7141371.5471864.0143317157
1998STL 141424140859.12,5356.271468.6401563.93412371410
1999BAL 121016932052.82,1366.717881.224933.90331901211
2000BAL 11815027454.71,5785.88869.319573.0020152115
2001WAS 151419837053.52,3865.8101071.3471523.22291731510
2002HOU 00DNP
2003HOU 736110259.86936.85384.36274.50135771
2004HOU 501250.0168.00077.1000.000050
2005HOU 20142556.01736.91257.62-2-1.000020
Career96781,2782,35654.215,3156.5777372.42468813.662271,4327331

Postseason
Year Team Games Passing Rushing Sacks Fumbles
GPGSCmpAttPctYdsAvgTDIntRtgAttYdsAvgTDSckYdsFumLost
2000BAL 30030.000.00039.61-1-1.000000
Career30030.000.00039.61-1-1.000000

References
  1. "Josh Luchs says he paid players". ESPN. October 13, 2010. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
  2. "Hartford, Connecticut Breaking News, Sports & Entertainment - Hartford Courant".
  3. "Rams had some characters at QB".
  4. "ESPN".
  5. "Five losses to five wins: five reasons". tribunedigital-baltimoresun. Retrieved December 14, 2015.
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