Pete 'the Rooster' Banaszak, Raiders Super Bowl Champion, Dies at 82
The former fullback was a key member of the Oakland Raiders' Super Bowl XI victory and led the NFL in touchdowns in 1975.
Pete 'the Rooster' Banaszak, a Super Bowl winner and AFL champion with the Oakland Raiders, has died at the age of 82. The Raiders organization announced his passing, stating, "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."
A cause of death was not immediately released.
Banaszak, originally from Wisconsin, played college football at the University of Miami before being selected by the Raiders in the fifth round of the 1966 AFL Draft. He carved out a role as a short-yardage back under head coach John Madden, leading the NFL with 16 touchdowns in 1975.
He was a member of the Raiders team that won the AFL championship in 1967 and played in the second-ever Super Bowl. Nine seasons later, Banaszak was a significant contributor to Madden's Raiders team that defeated the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl XI, scoring two touchdowns in the game.
After retiring from football following the 1978 season, Banaszak was inducted into the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame in 1983 and the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame in 1990.
He is survived by his wife, Sue, two daughters, Rebecca and Amy, and three grandsons. Fans remembered Banaszak on social media for his toughness and ability to reach the end zone.