Chip Banks facts for kids

William "Chip "Banks (born September 18, 1959) is a former American football player. He was a talented linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). Chip Banks played college football for the USC Trojans. He was chosen for the Pro Bowl four times while playing for the Cleveland Browns. In 1983, he was named an All-Pro player. He also played for the San Diego Chargers and the Indianapolis Colts during his career.

Early Life and College Football

Chip Banks grew up in Augusta, Georgia. He went to Lucy Craft Laney High School there. After high school, he played college football at the University of Southern California (USC). He was a key player for the USC Trojans and graduated in 1981.

Chip Banks' NFL Career

The Cleveland Browns picked Chip Banks as the third overall player in the 1982 NFL draft. This was a very high pick, showing how talented he was. In his first year, 1982, he won the NFL Rookie of the Year Award. This award goes to the best new player in the league.

Banks was a star for the Browns. He was chosen for the Pro Bowl four times while playing for them. These Pro Bowl selections happened in 1982, 1983, 1985, and 1986. The Pro Bowl is an all-star game where the best players from the AFC and NFC play against each other.

In 1987, Chip Banks was traded to the San Diego Chargers. He played for them for one season. Later, he joined the Indianapolis Colts. He played for the Colts for four seasons before he retired from professional football after the 1992 season.

During his NFL career, Chip Banks was known for his strong defensive play. He recorded 46 sacks, which means he tackled the opposing team's quarterback many times. He also had 9 interceptions, where he caught passes meant for the other team. He even scored one touchdown during his career.