Antonio Banks (American football) facts for kids

Antonio Dontral Banks (born March 12, 1973) is an American football coach. He used to play as a cornerback in professional football. Today, he works as the secondary coach for the New Jersey Generals. This team is part of the United States Football League (USFL). Before becoming a coach, he played college football at Virginia Tech. He also played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Minnesota Vikings.

Antonio Banks: A Football Journey

Antonio Banks has had an exciting career in football. He started as a player and later became a coach. His journey took him from college fields to professional leagues. He even coached teams in different countries.

Playing Football in College and Pros

Banks played college football at Virginia Tech. He was a key player there from 1993 to 1996. He earned a "letterman" title, which means he played well enough to get a special award. In 1993, he was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the 1993 Independence Bowl game.

In 1997, the Minnesota Vikings picked him in the NFL draft. He was the 113th player chosen overall. He played for the Vikings for four seasons. Antonio Banks also played for other teams. These included teams in NFL Europe and the Canadian Football League. He played for teams like the Amsterdam Admirals and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Antonio Banks' Coaching Career

After his playing days, Antonio Banks became a coach. In 2006, he was the head coach for the Alphen Eagles. This team was based in the Netherlands. Later, in 2016, he coached the Cairo Bears in Egypt.

In 2017, he joined IMG Academy. This is a famous sports school. He worked there as a defensive back coach. He helped young high school players improve their skills. Now, he coaches the secondary players for the New Jersey Generals in the USFL.