Brad Banks Interview: “The Way We Beat Michigan, It Will Never Be Forgotten”

Brad Banks Interview: “The Way We Beat Michigan, It Will Never Be Forgotten”

Brad Banks. When you say the name it brings back the memories. The win against Penn State in OT, the drubbing of Michigan at the Big House, the thriller over Purdue on Homecoming. These game were all apart of one of the greatest single seasons in Iowa Football history.

He won the Davey O'Brien Award as the nation's best quarterback, was named the Associated Press College Football Player of the Year and was runner-up for the Heisman Trophy.

Banks and the Hawks played in the 2003 Orange Bowl against USC. Sadly that game did not turn out as planned but Iowa fans still consider the 2002 season as one of the greatest in Iowa history.

After his career at Iowa, Banks signed a free agent contract with the Washington Redskins. He was later cut.

More recently, Banks joined the Iowa Barnstormers, following a five-year career in the Canadian Football League.

Earlier this week I was able to speak with Brad and get his thoughts on his career as a Hawkeye and much more.

Q:Describe your year as the starting QB of the Iowa Hawkeyes?

BB: “It was one of the greatest times in my life. Playing with a great group of guys, great coaches, and for great fans. It was an awesome time!”

Q: What was it like beating #8 Michigan in the Big House?

BB: “The win in the big house was great for Hawkeye Nation. To go into the Big House and beat those guys the way that we did, it will never be forgotten.”

Q: Can you describe the Orange Bowl? Feelings about it?

BB: “My feelings from the Orange Bowl when I think about it is that we prepared as a team, the coaches did a great job getting us ready to play a tough team and there is really no excuse for the way we played. I thought USC that year was a good football team and they showed up that night. But I do believe if we would have brought our A game, it would have been harder to beat us.”

Q: Were you upset you didnt win the Heisman?

BB: “I wasn't upset at all for not winning the Heisman. We as a team just accomplished one of the greatest years in Hawkeye history and there were a lot of other good things that went on that year. I wont allow not winning the Heisman rain on all of those good things from that year. If I would have won it, it would have icing on the cake.”

Q: What were your expectations of an NFL career?

BB: “To get drafted and to still be playing in the NFL now but that's not promised. Its still possible now that I am playing football again so we'll see how it turns out.”

Q: What have you been doing since you were at Iowa?

BB: “Since Iowa, I've played 5 years in CFL and teaching kids in football camps.”

Banks in the CFL

Q: How much fun do you have with your camp in Iowa?

BB: “My camp was a blast. the kids loved it, the parents enjoyed it, and I was happy to get it going. I am looking forward to doing it this year again. Having camps and teaching kids is a joy for that I cant explain.”

Q: What made you want to be an Iowa Barnstormer?

BB: “The opportunity to play football, on top of that to play in Iowa again.

Q: What are your expectations of the upcoming season with the Barnstormers?

BB: “My expectations are to win games and have fun. We have a great group here and I think we can do a lot of great things this year.”

I remember watching Banks that year and being so happy because I went to high school in Wisconsin. Nothing was sweeter than being able to cheer on the Hawks every week in front of Badger fans. As of this week, Banks was officially named the starter for the Barnstormers in the season opener against Pittsburgh. I wish Brad all the best!

HawkeyeBeat