The Oakland Raiders spent years knocking on the door of a championship before they finally broke through. Pete Banaszak was one of the players who pushed them through it and the hard running that carried him came to define the franchise, known today as the Las Vegas Raiders, through its best seasons.
His reach went beyond one title game. Banaszak still holds a Raiders scoring record. He also played a central part in one of football’s most disputed finishes and never suited up for another team.
He died at 82, and another figure from the team’s defining era is gone with him.
Raiders Announce Death of Super Bowl Champion Pete Banaszak
The Raiders announced on Saturday, October 24, that Banaszak had died at 82. Oakland drafted the running back in the fifth round of the 1966 AFL Draft out of the University of Miami, and he stayed for 13 seasons.
Raiders Announce Death of Super Bowl Champion Pete Banaszak
Dec 19, 1971; Oakland, CA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Oakland Raiders running back Pete Banaszak (40) follows Marv Hubbard (44) against the Denver Broncos at the Oakland Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Broncos 21-13. Mandatory Credit: Darryl Norenberg-USA TODAY Sports
He appeared in 173 regular-season games. Along the way, he became an important part of the franchise’s early championship history.
“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 in its statement.
The organization also extended condolences to his wife, Sue and his daughters Rebecca and Amy. Grandsons Luke, Austin and Connor were named as well, along with other loved ones.
Banaszak was proud of his Polish heritage. He was inducted into the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame in 1990.
Pete Banaszak Built a Lasting Raiders Legacy
His strongest individual season came in 1975. Banaszak rushed for 672 yards and led the NFL with 16 rushing touchdowns, a Raiders single-season record that still stands.
Raiders Announce Death of Super Bowl Champion Pete Banaszak
Jan 14, 1968; Miami, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Oakland Raiders running back Pete Banaszak (40) in action against the Green Bay Packers during Super Bowl II at the Orange Bowl. The Packers defeated the Raiders 33-14. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons
That production made him a key part of an Oakland offense that could punish defenses near the goal line.
A year later, he helped the Raiders win their first Super Bowl. Oakland defeated the Minnesota Vikings 32-14 in Super Bowl XI on January 9, 1977, and the veteran running back scored two touchdowns in that game.
The victory finally gave the franchise the championship it had chased through several deep postseason runs.
Raiders Announce Death of Super Bowl Champion Pete Banaszak
Nov 23, 1967; Kansas City, MO, USA; FILE PHOTO; Oakland Raiders quarterback Daryle Lamonica (3) and Pete Banaszak (40) in action against the Kansas City Chiefs at Kansas City Municipal Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY NETWORK
Banaszak also became part of NFL history in the 1978 “Holy Roller” game against the San Diego Chargers. With Oakland trailing late, quarterback Ken Stabler fumbled near the goal line, and Banaszak tried to recover the ball before knocking it forward.
Tight end Dave Casper reached the end zone for the winning touchdown. The controversial play later helped prompt a rule change restricting offensive players from advancing certain fumbles.
Banaszak finished with 3,772 rushing yards and 1,022 receiving yards. His 52 total touchdowns include postseason scores.
Those numbers leave him sixth on the Raiders’ all-time rushing list. Moving up from there would take another long career in Silver and Black, the kind Banaszak gave the franchise across 13 seasons.
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