ATLANTA — Former Browns linebacker Chip Banks, one of the stars of the team’s beloved 1980s defense, is fighting for his life in a Georgia hospital after suffering a gunshot wound.
Police say Banks and two other men were shot at an Atlanta area home Wednesday, and that it may have been a “targeted assault” on the trio. One of the victims has died, while Banks’ condition is described as “serious” according to TMZ Sports.
The third overall pick in the 1982 NFL draft out of USC, Banks tallied 5.5 sacks during that strike-shortened season and became so far the only Brown to win the NFL’s Rookie of the Year Award (either offense or defense). He was named a first-team All-Pro in 1983 and made the Pro Bowl four of his five seasons in Cleveland, including 1986 when he helped the team reach the AFC Championship Game.
Banks was traded to the San Diego Chargers after that season and later spent four years with the Indianapolis Colts before retiring in 1992. He finished his career with 46 sacks, including 27.5 with the Browns (still eighth all-time in franchise history).
No suspects have been arrested at this time.