Rick Badanjek

Last updated

Rick Badanjek
No. 26, 33, 47
Position: Running back
Personal information
Born: (1962-04-25) April 25, 1962 (age 62)
Warren, Ohio, U.S.
Height:5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Weight:217 lb (98 kg)
Career information
High school: Chalker
(Southington Township)
College: Maryland
NFL draft: 1986  (round: 7  pick: 186)
Career history
Career NFL statistics
Rushing yards:87
Rushing average:3.0
Touchdowns:1
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Richard Alan Badanjek (born April 25, 1962) is an American former professional football running back in the National Football League (NFL) for the Washington Redskins and Atlanta Falcons. Having grown up the son of interracial parents, he was a 1981 graduate of Chalker High School in the tiny rural town of Southington, Ohio, where he led the Wildcats to their best season in school history his senior year at 9–1, winning Team MVP. [1] He ran for 5,336 yards throughout his four years at the prep level, including over 2,000 yards and winning the OHSAA Class A Offensive Back of the Year his senior season. [2] [3] In a game against Ledgemont High School in 1980, Badanjek rushed for around 475 yards, en route to a 45–8 victory. [4]

Contents

He played college football at the University of Maryland and was drafted in the seventh round of the 1986 NFL draft by the Washington Redskins (now known as the Washington Commanders). [5] He played in Washington for one season before being traded to the Atlanta Falcons, where he started two games during the NFLPA strike of 1987. [6] That year, he rushed for 87 yards on 29 carries and caught 6 passes for 35 yards, while running for a three-yard touchdown in Week 5 against the San Francisco 49ers. [7]

College career

Graduating from Chalker High School, after an illustrious career at the small school, Badanjek committed to the University of Maryland.

College statistics

YearSchoolConferenceRushingReceiving
PosGAttYdsAvgTDRecYdsAvgTD
1982 Maryland ACCRB11622744.4955310.60
1983 Maryland ACCRB111316354.882629611.41
1984 Maryland ACCRB111738324.815201748.71
1985 Maryland ACCRB111556764.412181669.20
Career52124174.6446968910.02

Professional career

Badanjeck was drafted 186th in the seventh round in the 1986 NFL draft by Washington. [8]

Professional statistics

SeasonAgeTeamRushingReceiving
PosNo.GPGSAttYdsLngTDFmbRecYdsLngTD
1986 24 WAS RB2660---0---0
1987 25 ATL RB332229873111635160
1988 26 ATL RB4760---0---0
Career1422987116350

References

  1. Wilbon, Michael (October 31, 1985). "Maryland's Badanjek Specializes in 6-Point Play". Washington Post. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  2. McCormack, Don (September 23, 2010). "A Don McCormack column: Thanks, Coach". Star Beacon. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  3. Yauger, Brian (August 28, 2019). "Cernuto follows family footsteps". Tribune Chronicle.
  4. "Who are 50 best football players in Mahoning Valley history". Yappi Sports.
  5. "RICK BADANJEK". profootballarchives.com. Retrieved September 11, 2014.
  6. "Rick Badanjek Stats". Pro Football Reference.
  7. "San Francisco 49ers at Atlanta Falcons - October 11th, 1987". Pro Football Reference.
  8. "1986 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 3, 2023.