Brandon Banks excited to make highly anticipated Steeltown return for rival Argos

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Brandon Banks returns to the Hammer for the first time as an Argo.

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The memories of his time with the Ticats run deep and the friendships and relationships he built will last a lifetime.

When the veteran receiver/kick returner looks back, what sticks out is the initial call he received after joining the Ticats in 2013 from the likes of Kent Austin and Shawn Burke, individuals who are no longer with the franchise.

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“I just remember how I didn’t want to come up,’’ said Banks, who was back on the Argos’ practice field on Wednesday following a team-approved absence to take care of a family matter.

“I was waiting for the NFL. I still trying to get healthy after having surgery on my hip.”

The Ticats persisted, however, and in late September, early October, the move was made to bring him to town.

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Banks knew nothing about Hamilton and couldn’t even locate it on a map if asked.

His knowledge of the CFL was also limited.

“I knew the Toronto Argonauts because of Ricky Williams,’’ said Banks. “I knew the Rocket Ismail story. And that’s about it. I heard of Ricky Ray, but what really solidified it (his decision to come north) was Manny Arceneaux.”

Arceneaux starred with B.C., for six seasons, joined the Roughriders for 2019 then returned to the CFL this season with Edmonton Elks. He and Banks were NFL teammates in Washington when Arceneaux, also in 2013, decided to take the plunge into three-down football as a way to continue his playing career.
Banks’ ties to Toronto were forged when he suited up for Washington in a game against the Buffalo Bills staged at the venue formerly known as SkyDome.

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A native of North Carolina, Banks packed his car and made the drive to Canada when the decision to join the Ticats was made.

He drove overnight and wasn’t sure of his bearings until he reached Buffalo.

“I just remember being in upstate New York thinking: ‘Where the (bleep) am I?’”

When he arrived in Steeltown, Banks spent one night in the Hammer.

The following night a game needed to be played at the University of Guelph, which served as the team’s temporary home.

The weather in Guelph was brutal and the university did not boast the many state-of-the-art facilities it does today.

“My first impression wasn’t good,’’ said Banks. “I didn’t play that game.

“The next game I played and it was against Montreal. We needed to win it. I ended up running a kick back to win the game. The rest is history because I’ve had fun ever since.”

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Speedy B would be featured in three Grey Cup games — all losses — and produced countless receiving yards and return touchdowns, experiencing good times mixed in with some moments of turmoil.

Hamilton remains dear to Banks’ heart and he has maintained his home in nearby Grimsby.

The Argos are now his gridiron home as he’s about to play his first game as a member of the hated Double Blue at Tim Hortons Field on Friday night.

“I couldn’t ask for anything more than what they (Ticats and Hamilton fans) did more me,’’ said Banks.
“They made me who I am today. Everyone knows it’s a second home for me.

“At the end of day, life moves on. I’m enjoying football and I’m having fun. I’m approaching this week as going in and seeing old friends.

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“I’m going to enjoy the moment and have fun. I’m not going to look at it as a sad moment.”

Banks has an idea where the visiting locker room at Tim Hortons Field is located, but admits he’s never stepped inside.

“If anyone is familiar with the Caretaker’s Lounge, I’ve never been past that,’’ added Banks. “I guess you can say I’ll be in a different space.”

He should feel at home, even though he’ll be entering enemy territory.

Whether it’s a game he helped the Ticats win, the memories will flood back as they should. And Banks is looking forward to reconnecting with the fans.

“I know exactly where some of the fans sit and who they are,’’ he said. “That’s how much I know. It’s going to be different.”

It will be interesting to see what kind of reaction Banks will receive.

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“You know the way Hamilton fans are,’’ he continued. “They’ll give it to me. At the end of the day, they cheered for me at one point. I understand. They’re just doing right by their team.”

The Argos are coming off a win over the Ticats at BMO Field last Saturday and sit atop the East at 4-3.
Banks, at 34 years of age, is no longer a go-to option. But with Eric Rogers injured again after he hurt his groin Saturday night, Banks will be back in the starting unit.

He looked fast at Wednesday’s practice.

“We’re improving,’’ said Banks of an Argos team that played with discipline in beating the Ticats 34-20 as all three phases scored a major. “Even (Wednesday’s) practice felt better. We’re getting better every day.
“I was telling the guys last week: ‘Forget the opponent. We’re playing against ourselves, the refs and all that.’ We had too many penalties and last week we didn’t have many (four in total). You’ll not have a perfect game, but guys are hitting their stride and buying into the system.

“You can see it a little bit. It takes time.”

Friday’s game is the first of two visits by the Argos and the second pitting the two rivals during a five-week span that culminates with the annual Labour Day Classic.

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