"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 a statement released Saturday.The Raiders also remembered the late running back's deep pride in his Polish heritage and extended their condolences to his loved ones."A Wisconsin native, Banaszak was fiercely proud of his Polish heritage and was inducted into the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame in 1990.The deepest condolences of the entire Raider Nation are with Pete's wife Sue, daughters Rebecca and Amy, grandsons Luke, Austin, and Connor, and all of his loved ones."RAIDERS LEGEND GIVES BLESSING TO FIRST OVERALL PICK FERNANDO MENDOZA TO WEAR NO.
15: 'HE'S PERFECT'Oakland Raiders running back Pete Banaszak is in action during the 1971 NFL season.(Malcolm Emmons/USA TODAY Sports)Banaszak was primarily a reserve during his career, starting just 36 of the 173 NFL games he played.
Even so, he made the most of his opportunities and etched his name into Raiders lore during his 13 seasons with the famed Silver and Black.Banaszak made his final appearance with the Raiders in 1978.His best season came in 1975, when he rushed for a league-high 16 touchdowns and a career-best 672 yards in his 10th year with the franchise.
Those 16 rushing touchdowns remain a Raiders single-season record.Oakland Raiders running back Pete Banaszak (40) carries the ball against the Chicago Bears during an NFL game at Soldier Field on Nov.7, 1976, in Chicago, Illinois.
Banaszak played for the Raiders from 1966-78.(Focus on Sport/Getty Images)CRAIG MORTON, QUARTERBACK WHO LED THE BRONCOS TO THEIR FIRST SUPER BOWL APPEARANCE, DEAD AT 83Banaszak crossed the goal line twice in the Raiders’ Super Bowl XI victory over the Minnesota Vikings.
The win marked the first time the franchise won the Vince Lombardi Trophy.Banaszak also played a key role in one of the N...