Banks played high school football at Beecher High School, graduating in 1980.[1] He played college football at Michigan State University and was the third overall pick in the 1984 NFL draft.[2] He was drafted by the New York Giants in the first round of the 1984 NFL Draft with the third overall pick.[3] He made the Pro Bowl in 1987, had 39.5 career quarterback sacks, and was a member of the NFL's 1980's All-Decade Team. He was a member of the Giants teams that won Super BowlsXXI and XXV as well as a key part of the Big Blue Wrecking Crew. Banks was a standout in their Super Bowl XXI victory in which he recorded 14 total tackles, including ten solo tackles. In 1993, Banks entered a three-year contract to play for the Washington Redskins.[4] He was released from the Redskins after the 1993 season and spent his final two years with the Cleveland Browns before retiring after the 1995 season.