Pete Banaszak, a former Oakland Raiders running back and Super Bowl champion, died at the age of 82, the team announced on Saturday. Banaszak spent his entire 13-year NFL career with the Raiders, from 1966 to 1978, and played a key role in the franchise’s first Super Bowl victory.
The Raiders issued a statement mourning Banaszak’s passing, highlighting his toughness, competitive spirit, and dedication. "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. The statement also extended condolences to Banaszak’s family, including his wife Sue, daughters Rebecca and Amy, and grandsons Luke, Austin, and Connor.
Career highlights and contributions
Banaszak, a Wisconsin native of Polish heritage, was inducted into the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame in 1990. He played 173 regular-season games for the Raiders, starting just 36 of them. Despite his role as a reserve, he left a lasting impact on the franchise. In 1975, he led the NFL with 16 rushing touchdowns, a single-season record that still stands for the Raiders. That same year, he rushed for a career-best 672 yards.
Banaszak’s most notable on-field contributions came during the Raiders’ Super Bowl XI victory over the Minnesota Vikings in 1977, where he scored two rushing touchdowns. He also played a central role in one of the NFL’s most famous plays, the "Holy Roller," during a 1978 game against the San Diego Chargers.
Early life and college career
Born on May 21, 1944, in Crivitz, Wisconsin, Banaszak attended Crivitz High School, where he competed in football, basketball, and track and field. He played college football at the University of Miami, tallying 1,107 rushing yards and nine touchdowns over three seasons. In his senior year, he was named the Hurricanes’ most valuable player.
After retiring from football, Banaszak worked for Crowley Maritime and later resided in Jacksonville, Florida. In the early 2000s, he co-hosted The Fifth Quarter, the Jacksonville Jaguars’ postgame radio show.
The Raiders did not disclose the cause of Banaszak’s death.