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) | ||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||
| High school: | Garner (Garner, North Carolina) | ||||||||||
| College: | Kansas State | ||||||||||
| Undrafted: | 2010 | ||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||
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| CFL status: | American | ||||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||
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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 known for being a speedy wide receiver and a fantastic return specialist. Brandon Banks played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Washington Redskins. He also played for many years in the Canadian Football League (CFL) with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and the Toronto Argonauts. He played college football at Bakersfield College and Kansas State. Banks was one of the lightest players in both the NFL and CFL during his career.
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Early Life and High School Football
Brandon Banks grew up in Raleigh, North Carolina. He was a four-year starter on his high school football team at Garner Magnet High School. He helped his team win three championships in a row. They had an amazing record of 33 wins and only 5 losses in his last three seasons. In 2017, he was honored by being added to his high school's Hall of Fame.
Speed on the Track
Besides football, Brandon was also a very fast runner in track and field. In 2006, he was named to the USA Today All-USA high school track and field team. He ran the 100-meter race in 10.42 seconds and the 200-meter race in 21.44 seconds. These times show how incredibly fast he was!
College Football Career
Brandon Banks started his college football journey at Bakersfield College. He was recognized as a first-team All-American for his skills as an all-around player and wide receiver. He helped his team become the number one ranked team in the country. They finished with a 12-1 record. Brandon set a school record by scoring 15 touchdowns that season.
He then transferred to Kansas State for the 2008 season. At Kansas State, Brandon became a standout player. He had one of the best seasons ever for a junior wide receiver. He caught 67 passes for 1,049 yards and scored nine touchdowns. He was one of only a few players in school history to gain over 1,000 receiving yards in a single season.
Brandon also excelled on special teams, returning kickoffs and punts. He had a 98-yard kickoff return against Nebraska, which was one of the longest in school history. His amazing all-around play earned him several awards. He was named the Big 12 Conference Offensive Newcomer of the Year in 2008. In 2009, he was recognized as the Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Year and a first-team All-Big 12 player.
Professional Football Career
Washington Redskins (NFL)
After college, Brandon Banks joined the Washington Redskins in 2010. He quickly showed his talent as a return specialist. In his first preseason game, he returned a punt 77 yards for a touchdown. This play earned him the nickname "Crazy Legs Banks."
In his first regular NFL game, he returned a punt 51 yards, setting up a touchdown for his team. He also set a franchise record against the Detroit Lions by gaining 271 return yards in one game. He even scored his first kickoff return touchdown, running 96 yards.
In 2011, Brandon showed his versatility. He threw a 49-yard touchdown pass to Santana Moss, which was the first pass of his career. He continued to be a key player on special teams for the Redskins.
Hamilton Tiger-Cats (CFL)
In 2013, Brandon Banks moved to the Canadian Football League (CFL) and signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. He quickly made a big impact. In his first season, he returned a missed field goal for a game-winning touchdown. This helped his team secure home-field advantage in the playoffs.
In 2014, he returned two punts for touchdowns in a playoff game against the Montreal Alouettes. This helped the Tiger-Cats reach the Grey Cup championship game. In the Grey Cup, he scored a 45-yard receiving touchdown. He was named a CFL All-Star for his outstanding performance.
Brandon continued to shine in Hamilton. In 2017, he had a breakout season as a wide receiver. He caught 67 passes for 1,011 yards and scored 8 touchdowns. He improved even more in 2018, with 94 catches for 1,423 yards and 11 touchdowns.
In 2019, Brandon had an incredible season. He set a franchise record with 112 receptions and gained 1,550 receiving yards, scoring 13 touchdowns. For his amazing play, he was named the CFL's Most Outstanding Player. He was a CFL All-Star multiple times during his career with the Tiger-Cats.
Toronto Argonauts (CFL)
In 2022, Brandon Banks signed with the Toronto Argonauts. In his first season with the team, he achieved a major career highlight. He won his first ever Grey Cup championship with the Argonauts in Regina, Saskatchewan. This was a huge moment for him and his team. After one successful season, he left the team in early 2023.
Personal Life
Brandon Banks is known for doing the John Wall Dance as his touchdown celebration. He is good friends with basketball player John Wall, who plays point guard for the Los Angeles Clippers. They grew up together in the Raleigh, North Carolina area. Brandon has three children.
Images for kids
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Banks during Washington Redskins training camp in 2011.
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Banks at Redskins training camp in 2012.
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Banks before a Tiger-Cats game in 2019.
