Voice of the Houston Texans Marc Vandermeer meets with former Houston Texans players to discuss their experience in the NFL and where they are now.
He was the first backup quarterback in Texans history and the first QB to start for the franchise other than David Carr. Tony Banks spent four seasons in Houston, starting three games, ending his career with 78 starts for four different teams.
"My last four years I wanted to be a starter somewhere but that didn't work out," said Banks, who instead embraced a role as an elder statesman and mentor for the Texans. "I kind of enjoyed that. Most of my career I was the young guy playing early trying to figure things out. By the time I got to the Texans, I was trying to be a good influence on my teammates."
Those teammates included David Carr, the number one pick in the 2002 draft. Carr started most of the games in his five years with the Texans but Banks got in the line up in year two, coming off the bench to help beat Buffalo and starting three games including tilts against the two teams that would play in the Super Bowl at NRG Stadium following that season – Carolina and New England.
Banks and the Texans took the Patriots deep into overtime before falling on an Adam Vinitieri field goal, but he led the Texans to a victory over the eventual NFC Champion Panthers on the very first Battle Red Day.
"We had a rough first half but kind of lit it up in the second half," said Banks, who helped the Texans score two touchdowns after intermission, including a TD pass to Billy Miller to put Houston up for good.
Banks also played for the Rams and was a part of the Ravens first Super Bowl team. He spent a year in Dallas and resides there now as head coach of the Greenhill School football team.
"When I played, I had no interest in coaching at all, but when I started coaching my son in his youth leagues, I fell in love with it. I fell in love with the kids and being able to be a positive role model."
It's Year 2 at the helm as a high school coach for Banks. Last year was reduced to three exhibition games because of the pandemic.
Banks also previously worked Texans pre and post game shows for Fox Sports Southwest, co-hosting the shows with Dave Raymond and then Erin Hartigan.
Experience Gameday Together. Join us for the 2021 Battle Red Day game vs. the Indianapolis Colts here.
