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HAMILTON — The Hamilton Tiger-Cats had quite the surprise for Brandon Banks on Thursday night.
The CFL's outstanding player in 2019 was informed that he'll be inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame this fall during the Ticats season-opening game versus the Montreal Alouettes. Banks, 38, attended the game after signing a one-day contract Wednesday with Hamilton to retire as a member of the CFL club.
During a stoppage in play, TSN's Kate Beirness and Milt Stegall delivered the news to Banks, who was visibly surprised.
"It's a surreal moment," he said. "They (Ticats fans) mean everything to me.
"They made me who I am. They made the Speedy B name bigger than me. I'm just happy I was able to go out there and play eight consecutive years with them. They cheered me on loud and I just enjoyed it while I was here."
Banks, 38, will be inducted Sept. 17. The remainder of the '26 class will be named at a later date.
The five-foot-seven, 155-pound Banks, who earned his nickname Speedy B honestly, played eight of his nine Hall of Fame seasons in Canada with Hamilton (2013-2019, 2021) before finishing his career with the Toronto Argonauts (2022).
Banks holds the CFL record for missed field-goal return touchdowns (five) and ranks third all-time with 13 kick-return TDs. He earned the CFL's outstanding player award in 2019 after leading the league in receptions (112), receiving yards (1,550) and receiving touchdowns (13), all of which were also career highs.
Banks, the CFL's top special-teams player in 2015, holds the Ticats’ all-time records for kickoff return yards (3,773), punt return yards (3,049) and missed field-goal return yards (779). He's also second in total touchdowns (62), combined yards (13,686), and punt return touchdowns (seven).
Banks was a CFL all-star four times and an East Division selection on six occasions.
About the only accomplishment Banks didn't record in Hamilton was playing on a Grey Cup-winning team. But he came precariously close to delivering the Ticats their first CFL title since '99, a championship drought that remains the longest in the league.
In the 2014 Grey Cup, Banks returned a punt 90 yards for a touchdowns with 35 seconds remaining to seemingly put Hamilton ahead. But it was nullified by an illegal block penalty and the Calgary Stampeders went on to record the 20-16 victory.
Ironically, the game MVP was Calgary quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell, who's now Hamilton's starter. Banks appeared in four Grey Cups with Hamilton, all losses.
Banks had to wait until 2022 to win his first Grey Cup with the rival Argos, who edged the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 24-23 in Regina.
"His numbers and accolades speak for themselves," said Eric Noivo, the Canadian Football Hall of Fame's executive director, in a statement. "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."
Before coming to the CFL, Banks spent time with the NFL's Washington Commanders (2010-12) following his college career at Kansas State. Banks signed with Washington as an undrafted free agent
Banks had 422 catches for 5,678 yards and 44 TDs in 111 career regular-season contests with Hamilton. He's the franchise leader in career kick-return yards (3,773), punt-return yards (3,049), missed field-goal return yards (779) and missed field goal return touchdowns (five).
He's second in total touchdowns (62), combined yards (13,686) and punt return touchdowns (seven) and inside the top eight in receptions (442), receiving yards (5,678) and receiving touchdowns (44). Banks registered three consecutive 1,000-yard campaigns with the Ticats (2017-19).
In his only season with Toronto, Banks had 37 catches for 522 yards and four TDs.
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