Brandon Banks facts for kids
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Banks with the Toronto Argonauts in 2022
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| Position: | Wide receiver / Return specialist | ||||||||||
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| Born: | December 21, 1987 Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S. |
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| Height: | 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) | ||||||||||
| Weight: | 150 lb (68 kg) | ||||||||||
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| High school: | Garner (Garner, North Carolina) | ||||||||||
| College: | Kansas State | ||||||||||
| Undrafted: | 2010 | ||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||
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| CFL status: | American | ||||||||||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||||||||||
| Player stats at CFL.ca | |||||||||||
Brandon DeSean Banks (born December 21, 1987) is an American former professional football player. He was a wide receiver and a return specialist. He played for the Washington Redskins in the National Football League (NFL). He also played in the Canadian Football League (CFL). In the CFL, he was with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Toronto Argonauts. Brandon played college football at Bakersfield College and for the Kansas State Wildcats. He was known for being one of the lightest players in both the NFL and CFL.
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Early Life and High School Football
Brandon Banks grew up in Garner, North Carolina. He was a four-year starter at Garner Magnet High School. He was chosen for the all-conference team twice. Brandon helped his high school team win three championships in a row. They had a great record of 33 wins and only 5 losses in his last three seasons. In 2017, he was honored by being added to his school's Hall of Fame.
High School Track and Field Achievements
Brandon was also a very fast runner in track and field. In 2006, USA Today named him to their All-USA high school track and field team. He ran the 100-meter race in 10.42 seconds. He also ran the 200-meter race in 21.44 seconds.
College Football Journey
Brandon Banks started his college football career at Bakersfield College. He was named a first-team All-American as an all-purpose player and wide receiver. He helped Bakersfield College become the number one team in the country. They had a 12-1 record and played in the Southern California championship game. Brandon set a school record by scoring 15 touchdowns.
Playing for Kansas State Wildcats
After Bakersfield, Banks transferred to Kansas State for the 2008 season. He quickly became a key player for the team. He was named the Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year in 2008.
Brandon had an amazing season in 2008 as a junior wide receiver. He caught 67 passes for 1,049 yards and scored nine touchdowns. He was one of only six players in school history to gain over 1,000 receiving yards in a single season. His 67 catches and 1,049 yards were the most ever by a junior at Kansas State.
He also helped the team on special teams. He returned kickoffs for 498 yards and punts for 58 yards. His 98-yard kickoff return against Nebraska was one of the longest in school history. Brandon's total of 1,731 all-purpose yards in 2008 ranks fifth in Kansas State history. He was chosen for the first-team All-Big 12 Conference for special teams. He was also a second-team All-American in his senior year.
College Statistics Overview
Here is a summary of Brandon Banks' college football statistics:
| Year | Games Played | Receptions | Yards | Average | Longest | Touchdowns |
| 2008 | 12 | 67 | 1,049 | 15.7 | 77 | 9 |
| 2009 | 12 | 56 | 705 | 12.6 | 64 | 1 |
| Total | 24 | 123 | 1,754 | 14.3 | 77 | 10 |
Professional Football Career
Brandon Banks began his professional career in the National Football League (NFL). He later became a star in the Canadian Football League (CFL).
Time with the Washington Redskins
After the 2010 NFL draft, the Washington Redskins signed Brandon Banks in May 2010. He quickly showed his talent by returning a punt 77 yards for a touchdown in his first preseason game. This earned him the nickname "Crazy Legs Banks." In his first regular NFL game, he returned a punt 51 yards, which led to a Redskins touchdown.
Brandon set a franchise record on October 31, 2010, against the Detroit Lions. He had 271 total return yards in that game. He also scored his first career kick return touchdown with a 96-yard return. In 2011, he even threw a 49-yard touchdown pass to Santana Moss. This was the first pass of his career.
For the 2012 NFL season, Banks worked to become more than just a return specialist. He gained weight to help him play as a receiver. He returned a punt 91 yards for a touchdown in a preseason game against the Chicago Bears. He made the Redskins' final roster for the 2012 season. After the 2012 season, the Redskins decided not to re-sign him.
Success with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Brandon Banks joined the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the Canadian Football League (CFL) on September 30, 2013. In his first season, he was named the Special Teams Player of the Week. This was for returning a missed field goal for a game-winning touchdown.
In 2014, Banks returned two punts for touchdowns in a playoff game. This helped the Tiger-Cats reach the 102nd Grey Cup. He also scored a 45-yard receiving touchdown in the Grey Cup game. He had 1,968 combined yards during the regular season. His great performance earned him his first CFL All-Star award.
In 2015, Brandon continued to excel on special teams. He set personal bests for punt and kick returns. He touched the ball 164 times for 2,070 yards and scored six touchdowns. He was named a CFL All-Star for the second year in a row.
In 2016, Banks had 2,082 kickoff return yards and scored three return touchdowns. He was nominated for Special Teams Player of the Year.
Banks had a breakout season as a wide receiver in 2017. He set new career highs with 67 catches, 1,011 yards, and 8 touchdowns. He improved even more in 2018, catching 94 passes for 1,423 yards and 11 touchdowns. He was second in the league in receptions and yards that year.
On January 28, 2019, Banks signed a new two-year contract with the Tiger-Cats. He continued his excellent play in the 2019 CFL season. He set a franchise record with 112 receptions in a season. Banks was also named to his sixth straight Divisional All-Star list. Later, he was named the CFL's Most Outstanding Player for his amazing performance in 2019. He re-signed with the Tiger-Cats in December 2020. The 2020 CFL season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He played in 2021 but dealt with injuries. He became a free agent in February 2022.
Winning the Grey Cup with Toronto Argonauts
On February 13, 2022, Brandon Banks signed with the Toronto Argonauts. He achieved a major goal with the Argonauts. He won his first ever Grey Cup on November 20, 2022. This was the 109th Grey Cup championship. After one season, Banks was released by the Argonauts in January 2023.
Professional Statistics Summary
Brandon Banks had a very successful professional career. Here are some of his key statistics:
- NFL Totals:
* 11 Receptions * 35 Receiving Yards * 937 Return Yards * 0 Receiving Touchdowns * 0 Rushing Touchdowns * 1 Return Touchdown
- CFL Totals:
* 453 Receptions * 6,200 Receiving Yards * 3,212 Return Yards * 48 Receiving Touchdowns * 5 Rushing Touchdowns * 13 Return Touchdowns
Personal Life and Interests
Brandon Banks is known for his touchdown celebration, which is the John Wall Dance. He is good friends with John Wall, who is a professional basketball player. They both grew up in the Raleigh, North Carolina area. At one point, they both played professionally in Washington, D.C.. Brandon Banks has three children.
