Pete Banaszak 1944 – 2026

Biography

# Pete Banaszak

Pete Banaszak was a power-running force for the Oakland Raiders, dominating the field as a running back across the AFL and NFL eras. The Wisconsin native brought grit and determination to the Raiders’ backfield throughout his remarkable 13-season tenure with the franchise, establishing himself as a cornerstone of Oakland’s offense during a golden era of football.

A college standout at the University of Miami, Banaszak made the leap to professional football with the Raiders in 1966, when the team was still competing in the upstart AFL. He continued his impact through the NFL merger and beyond, suiting up in silver and black from 1966 through 1978. His longevity and consistency made him a respected figure in Raiders history during one of the franchise’s most competitive periods.