Chip Banks Trying to Come All the Way Back

Chip Banks has won his battle to get back in the National Football League. Now the Indianapolis Colts linebacker is trying to win his private war to stay in the league.

Five days after he joined the Colts, Banks played in his first NFL game in nearly 22 months. The former All-Pro started and was on the field for 49 of 64 defensive plays and made a significant contribution to the 23-12 upset of defending AFC champion Cincinnati last Sunday.

Banks, 30, is a two-time loser under the NFL’s drug program and faces a lifetime suspension if he tests positive again.

But, opposing linemen, runners and quarterbacks concern him more than anyone’s nagging doubts over his drug rehabilitation.

“I don’t expect to be treated any differently than anyone who makes a mistake. For me, I feel that I just have to concentrate on my priorities . . . stick with the program and I’ll be fine. . . . My actions will speak a lot harder than my words will.”

Banks was obtained by the Colts from San Diego on Oct. 17 for a future undisclosed draft pick. The next day he practiced with Indianapolis for the first time and five days after the trade he was playing a football game for the first time since Dec. 27, 1987--following a suspension and a season-long contract dispute that was not resolved until the day of the trade.

“I never doubted I could play. I kept myself in condition and studied the play book intently after I arrived,” said Banks.

“I spent about 20 hours studying the Indianapolis defense,” said Banks, adding that teammate Duane Bickett, who was also his teammate for one year at USC tutored him intently during that time.

“I don’t think I could have done it, understood the system, so quickly without Duane,” said Banks, who made three solo tackles and was credited with four quarterback pressures -- making him the team leader for the season.

“There’s no question Chip was a significant reason we performed so well defensively,” Coach Ron Meyer said. “We knew he would play some, but quite frankly, were surprised he played as much as he did.”

The Colts, who took a chance on Tony Collins last year only to see him fail an NFL drug test and eventually become hospitalized, know they’re throwing the dice again on Banks.

“I believe you have to acknowledge statistical facts that relapse is prevalent,” said General Manager Jim Irsay when he announced the acquisition.

“I don’t worry about that,” said Banks. “There are always going to be critics and skeptics about my situation or anybody who made mistakes.”

Banks’ mistakes include being arrested four times in his native Atlanta on cocaine and marijuana possession charges between February 1988 and June of this year. On Oct. 11, an Atlanta judge sentenced him to five years probation on a cocaine possession conviction. The probation term runs concurrently with a five-year probation for a March marijuana conviction.

He was released from a drug rehabilitation center earlier this month and is working with therapists in San Diego and here. In addition, he must subject himself to random urinalysis tests.

“I’m just glad that the powers to be saw fit to give me this opportunity to let me play again and to reinstate me to the league. That’s what counted for the most part, being reinstated and playing ball this year. Those were big hurdles I made over. Those were the most important things I had to deal with,” Banks said.

On the field, Banks has always been impressive. At Lucy Laney High School in Augusta, Ga., he played linebacker, tight end, quarterback and also punted while receiving prep All-America recognition. He started two games as a freshman for Southern Cal, led the Trojans in tackles as a junior and senior and received All-America honors in his final year.

The Cleveland Browns made him the third pick overall in the 1982 college draft and he was a Pro Bowl starter as a rookie. Another Pro Bowl start followed in 1983, along with selection to The Associated Press All-NFL first team. Banks, who has started all 86 of his NFL games, also was selected a Pro Bowl starter in 1985 and a first alternate in 1987.

“I’ve had the talent and I still believe I have it. I felt I was in pretty good shape and I went out Sunday wanting to make my assignments crisp, do those well, create some havoc and be an impact,” he said. “I surprised myself somewhat in the way I what I was able to accomplish.”