Raiders Legend Pete Banaszak Dies at 82

The former running back spent 13 seasons with the Oakland Raiders and helped the team secure a Super Bowl win.

Updated on Oct. 24, 2026 in Football

Bold flat-color editorial illustration showing a vintage football, evoking the legacy of a professional football athlete. — Pete Banaszak, the longtime Oakland Raiders running back who played 13 seasons and won a Super Bowl, has died at age 82. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Former Oakland Raiders running back Pete Banaszak has died at the age of 82. He played 13 seasons for the franchise after being drafted in 1966.

Why it matters

Banaszak remains a celebrated figure in team history for his offensive production, including a standout performance during the Raiders' Super Bowl XI victory.

Banaszak appeared in 173 total regular-season games throughout his 13-year NFL career. He notably led the league with 16 rushing touchdowns in 1975 and scored two touchdowns in Super Bowl XI.

The players

Pete Banaszak

He was a professional football player who spent his entire 13-season NFL career as a running back for the Oakland Raiders.

Oakland Raiders

This professional football organization is based in the Las Vegas area and famously played in Oakland for decades.

The details

Banaszak was a mainstay for the Oakland Raiders after being selected in the fifth round of the 1966 AFL Draft. His contributions were instrumental to the team's success throughout the 1970s.

1966: Banaszak was drafted in the fifth round of the AFL Draft.
1975: Banaszak recorded a league-leading 16 rushing touchdowns.
1976: Banaszak won Super Bowl XI with the Raiders.
1990: Banaszak was inducted into the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame.
October 24, 2026: Pete Banaszak died.

Season Trajectory

Banaszak's legacy is tied to the golden era of the franchise, specifically the 1976 Raiders Super Bowl XI victory. His passing reflects the historical passage of time for the players who built the foundation of the team's modern identity.

Banaszak holds a notable spot in Raiders history with his record of 16 rushing touchdowns during a single season. His death serves as a historical milestone for fans who followed the team during the 1960s and 1970s.

The takeaway

Banaszak demonstrated long-term commitment to a single franchise, an rarity in modern professional sports. Fans can remember his career as a testament to the endurance and grit that characterized Oakland football in that era.