Raiders mourn Super Bowl champion Pete Banaszak, key figure in iconic ‘Holy Roller’ play
Former Oakland Raiders running back Pete Banaszak has died at 82, the team announced. A 13-season player who helped Oakland win its first Super Bowl, he was remembered for his toughness, competitive spirit and pride in his Polish heritage.
Banaszak played 173 NFL games, starting 36, and scored two touchdowns in the Raiders’ Super Bowl XI victory over Minnesota. His 16 rushing touchdowns in 1975 remain a Raiders single-season record; he also helped complete the controversial “Holy Roller” play against the Chargers in 1978. He finished with 3,772 rushing yards, 1,022 receiving yards and 52 touchdowns.
In short
- Raiders great Pete Banaszak has died at 82.
- He scored twice in the franchise’s first Super Bowl win.
- His 16 rushing touchdowns in 1975 remain a team record.
Explained simply
Pete Banaszak was a running back for the Oakland Raiders, an American football team, for 13 seasons. Running backs carry the ball as part of their team’s attack, and Banaszak became known for his toughness and ability to score.
The Raiders won their first Super Bowl in 1977, beating the Minnesota Vikings, with Banaszak scoring twice. He was also involved in the “Holy Roller”, a disputed 1978 play against the San Diego Chargers in which the Raiders advanced the ball after it was fumbled.
His career helps explain his place in Raiders history: he played 173 games and scored 52 touchdowns. The “Holy Roller” remains a notable moment in the sport’s history because it led to a change in the rules about advancing a fumbled ball.