Vincent Joseph (Vince) Banonis

Vincent Joseph “Vince” Banonis

University of Detroit Football Player (1939 – 1941)
Detroit Lions Player (1951 – 1953)

Vince Banonis was born in Detroit, Michigan and attended Catholic Central High School before moving on to the University of Detroit where he was a two-way player at center and linebacker and was selected as an All-American as a senior. He was selected in the fourth round of the 1942 NFL Draft by the Chicago Cardinals and played in 1942 for the Cardinals but spent the next three years in the U.S. Navy during World War II. After being released released from active duty he returned to the Cardinals where he played through the 1950 season when he was traded to the Detroit Lions. Banonis played three seasons at center for Detroit helping them win the 1952 and 1953 NFL Championships. In all he won three NFL Championships and was named to two All-Pro teams. Vince Banonis was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1986, the Detroit Mercy Titans Athletic Hall of Fame in 1977 and was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 1975. He passed away on October 23, 2010 at 89 years of age.