Richard Alan Badanjek (born April 25, 1962) is a former American 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]
| No. 26, 33, 47 | |
| Date of birth | April 25, 1962 |
|---|---|
| Place of birth | Warren, Ohio, U.S. |
| Career information | |
| Position(s) | Running back |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (173 cm) |
| Weight | 217 lb (98 kg) |
| US college | Maryland |
| NFL draft | 1986 / Round: 7 / Pick: 186 |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 1986 | Washington Redskins |
| 1987–1988 | Atlanta Falcons |
| Career stats | |
| |
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 edit
Graduating from Chalker High School, after an illustrious career at the small school, Badanjek committed to the University of Maryland.
College Statistics edit
| Year | School | Conference | Rushing | Receiving | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pos | G | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | Rec | Yds | Avg | TD | |||
| 1982 | Maryland | ACC | RB | 11 | 62 | 274 | 4.4 | 9 | 5 | 53 | 10.6 | 0 |
| 1983 | Maryland | ACC | RB | 11 | 131 | 635 | 4.8 | 8 | 26 | 296 | 11.4 | 1 |
| 1984 | Maryland | ACC | RB | 11 | 173 | 832 | 4.8 | 15 | 20 | 174 | 8.7 | 1 |
| 1985 | Maryland | ACC | RB | 11 | 155 | 676 | 4.4 | 12 | 18 | 166 | 9.2 | 0 |
| Career | 521 | 2417 | 4.6 | 44 | 69 | 689 | 10.0 | 2 | ||||
Professional career edit
Badanjeck was drafted 186th in the seventh round in the 1986 NFL Draft by Washington.[8]
Professional Statistics edit
| Season | Age | Team | Rushing | Receiving | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pos | No. | GP | GS | Att | Yds | Lng | TD | Fmb | Rec | Yds | Lng | TD | |||
| 1986 | 24 | WAS | RB | 26 | 6 | 0 | - | - | - | 0 | - | - | - | 0 | |
| 1987 | 25 | ATL | RB | 33 | 2 | 2 | 29 | 87 | 31 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 35 | 16 | 0 |
| 1988 | 26 | ATL | RB | 47 | 6 | 0 | - | - | - | 0 | - | - | - | 0 | |
| Career | 14 | 2 | 29 | 87 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 35 | 0 | ||||||
References edit
- ^ Wilbon, Michael (October 31, 1985). "Maryland's Badanjek Specializes in 6-Point Play". Washington Post. Retrieved 2023-10-03.
- ^ McCormack, Don (September 23, 2010). "A Don McCormack column: Thanks, Coach". Star Beacon. Retrieved 2023-10-03.
- ^ Yauger, Brian (August 28, 2019). "Cernuto follows family footsteps". Tribune Chronicle.
- ^ "Who are 50 best football players in Mahoning Valley history". Yappi Sports.
- ^ "RICK BADANJEK". profootballarchives.com. Retrieved September 11, 2014.
- ^ "Rick Badanjek Stats". Pro Football Reference.
- ^ "San Francisco 49ers at Atlanta Falcons - October 11th, 1987". Pro Football Reference.
- ^ "1986 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2023-10-03.
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