The Hamilton Tiger-Cats surprised fans Thursday night by announcing that former star Brandon Banks, the CFL’s outstanding player in 2019, will be inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame this fall. The announcement came during a pause in the second quarter of the 2026 season opener between Hamilton and the Montreal Alouettes.<\/p>\n
Banks, 38, who signed a one-day contract with the Ticats on Wednesday to retire as a member of the team, was present at the game. The CFL Hall of Fame is located inside Hamilton Stadium. Banks\u2019 induction ceremony is set for September 17, with the rest of the 2026 class to be revealed later.<\/p>\n
Known affectionately as Speedy B for his blazing pace, the five-foot-seven, 155-pound Banks spent eight of his nine Hall of Fame seasons with Hamilton from 2013 to 2019 and again in 2021 before finishing his career with the Toronto Argonauts in 2022. He holds the CFL record for missed field-goal return touchdowns with five and ranks third all-time with 13 kick-return touchdowns.<\/p>\n
In 2019, Banks captured the CFL\u2019s Most Outstanding Player award after topping the league in receptions (112), receiving yards (1,550), and receiving touchdowns (13), all personal bests. He was also recognized as the CFL\u2019s top special teams player in 2015.<\/p>\n
Banks holds multiple all-time franchise records for the Tiger-Cats, including kickoff return yards (3,773), punt return yards (3,049), and missed field-goal return yards (779). He ranks second in total touchdowns (62), combined yards (13,686), and punt return touchdowns (seven). Over his career, Banks earned four CFL All-Star nods and six East Division selections.<\/p>\n
Though Banks appeared in four Grey Cup games with Hamilton, a championship with the team narrowly eluded him. Notably, in the 2014 Grey Cup, he returned a punt 90 yards for a late touchdown that was disallowed due to an illegal block penalty, helping the Calgary Stampeders secure a 20-16 win. Ironically, Calgary\u2019s MVP that day was quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell, who now starts for Hamilton. Banks finally won a Grey Cup in 2022 with the rival Argonauts in a tight 24-23 victory over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in Regina.<\/p>\n
“His numbers and accolades speak for themselves,” Canadian Football Hall of Fame executive director Eric Noivo said. “But it’s Brandon’s lasting impact on the game that has earned him a place in history. His breathtaking speed defined him, but we’ll always be in awe of his passion, determination and drive.”<\/p>\n
Before his CFL success, Banks spent time with the NFL\u2019s Washington Commanders from 2010 to 2012 after his college career at Kansas State. He signed in Washington as an undrafted free agent.<\/p>\n
Over 111 regular-season games with Hamilton, Banks recorded 422 catches for 5,678 yards and 44 touchdowns. He is the franchise leader in career kick-return yards, punt-return yards, missed field-goal return yards, and missed field-goal return touchdowns.<\/p>\n
Banks ranks second in franchise history in total touchdowns, combined yards, and punt return touchdowns, and ranks among the top eight in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns. He also enjoyed three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons with the Ticats from 2017 to 2019.<\/p>\n
In his lone season with Toronto, Banks added 37 receptions for 522 yards and four touchdowns.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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