By Darin Long before the modern era of multi-million dollar stadiums and national television contracts, one man put Clemson athletics on the map. Banks McFadden, affectionately known as “Bonnie Banks,” was more than just a halfback; he was a one-man wrecking crew who led the Tigers to their first-ever bowl victory. A “triple-threat” star who could run, pass, and punt with elite precision, McFadden’s legacy remains the gold standard for versatility in South Carolina sports history.
Taps (Clemson School Newspaper) staff via Wikimedia Commons
Football Bio
February 7, 1917 – Fort Lawn, South Carolina – The legendary Clemson Tigers halfback Banks McFadden was born. The National Football Foundation selected Banks McFadden for entrance into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1959.
Conclusion
Banks McFadden was the architect of Clemson’s early national relevance. His performance in the 1940 Cotton Bowl remains a cornerstone of Tiger lore, proving that a single athlete could indeed carry the weight of an entire program. Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as Clemson’s first-ever representative, McFadden’s impact extended far beyond the gridiron, serving his country as a colonel in the Army Air Corps and returning to lead his alma mater as a coach and administrator for over four decades.
Accolades and Football Accomplishments
- College Football Hall of Fame Inductee (Class of 1959)
- First-team AP All-American (1939 – Clemson’s first wire-service All-American)
- 1940 Cotton Bowl MVP (Led Clemson to its first-ever bowl win)
- Nation’s Most Versatile Athlete (1939-40)
- NFL First Round Draft Pick (4th overall in 1940 by the Brooklyn Dodgers)
- NFL Leader in Yards Per Carry (1940 – 4.8 avg)
- Clemson Ring of Honor (Charter Member)
- Retired Numbers (No. 66 in Football; No. 23 in Basketball)
- South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame (Charter Member)
