Remembering Former Broncos’ OL, Chris Banks: 1973-2014

Jan 12, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; General view of the Broncos logo on seats as fans enter the stadium for the game with the Denver Broncos playing against the San Diego Chargers for the 2013 AFC divisional playoff football game. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

It’s unfortunate and sad that it sometimes takes death to shine a light on one’s life. It becomes ironic when that person is practically a neighbor. Such is the case with former Denver Broncos’ Offensive Lineman, Chris Banks. Banks (41) was found dead in his Abingdon, MD. home on Wednesday morning. Warren Christopher Banks played four years in the NFL, 1998-99 for the Broncos and 2000-2001 for the Atlanta Falcons, earning a championship ring with the 1998 Broncos in Super Bowl XXXIII. As reported in the Baltimore Sun, the Denver Broncos released the following statement:

"“The Denver Broncos are deeply saddened with the news that former offensive lineman, Chris Banks has passed away…our hearts go out to his family and friends”, said a Broncos’ spokesperson."

Banks, a native of Lexington, Missouri, was a 7th round draft pick in the 1996 draft out of Kansas University. Banks was a TSA agent at Baltimore Washington International-Thurgood Marshall Airport since 2008. Spokesperson, Lisa Farbstein also released a statement on behalf of the TSA:

"“Many here at the Transportation Security Administration at BWI-Thurgood Marshall Airport had the good fortune of working alongside Mr. Banks during the past five years and we will miss him tremendously as both a colleague and friend…Our hearts are with his family in this time of deep sorrow.”"

In an e-mail, Kelli Brooks, one of Banks’ coworkers described him as

"“A truly sweet man…we are mourning his loss.”"

On a personal level, at the time of his death, Banks lived a mile from my current residence of Abingdon, MD. No matter where I have lived, one thing has always followed me from place to place: my love and loyalty for the Denver Broncos. As such, my car is donned with the requisite Broncos’ signage. And often times, my person is draped with Broncos’ gear somewhere. Living in Baltimore Ravens‘ country, we Broncos’ fans are few in far between, So two things about Banks’ passing that got me thinking is, at any point in the eight plus years that my wife and I have lived in Abingdon, have we ever crossed paths with him and didn’t realize it; and was there any point where Banks was behind me in traffic whereby he would see, openly, my allegiance to the team for which he played? No matter the answer, I am posthumously disappointed that I never had a chance to run into him and shoot the breeze; and not just because he was a member of the Broncos, but also because by the aforementioned accounts of Ms. Brooks that Banks was a good guy. And you can never have enough good people in your life. 

R.I.P. Chris!

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