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ALLEN PARK, MICH.  – Long-time Detroit sports legend Vince Banonis has died.  Banonis died Saturday (October 23) at Providence Hospital in Southfield.  He was 89.
 
Banonis had a 10-year NFL career that began when he was a fourth-round pick (29th overall) in the 1942 NFL Draft by the Chicago Cardinals.  He was a two-way standout for the Cardinals and was an All-Pro and a captain on Chicago’s 1947 NFL Championship team.  His career with the Cardinals was put on hold from 1942-46 when he served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy during World War II.
 
In 1951, Lions’ coach Buddy Parker traded offensive lineman Jack Simmons to Chicago to bring Banonis to his native Detroit and continue the building blocks that brought the city three NFL Championships in the 1950s.  Banonis was the starting center for the Bobby Layne quarterbacked Lions that captured the world titles in 1952 and, sharing time at center with Charley Ane, in 1953.
 
The gregarious, well-liked Banonis was about to begin his final pro season in 1953 when the Lions drafted a linebacker/center from the University of Pittsburgh in the seventh round --- future Hall of Famer Joe Schmidt.
 
“Vinnie was a veteran but took time for me as a rookie; sort of looked after me and shepherded me,” said Schmidt.  “He was a hard-nosed football player but was always enjoyable to be around.  He was a true team player.”
 
Long before coming to the Lions, Banonis was well known in Detroit.  He was the captain and an All-State center for the 1938 Detroit Catholic Central City Championship team.  Banonis then starred for the University of Detroit earning All-America honors as a senior linebacker and center in 1941.
 
Honors continued to flow Banonis’ way once his football career ended.  He was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 1975, the College Football Hall of Fame in 1986, and recently was named to the inaugural Sports Hall of Fame class for Detroit Catholic Central High School.
 
Banonis is survived by his wife of 62 years, Marilyn, and their daughter Carolyn Anglin.  Three sons – Vince Jr., James and Stephen – preceded him in death.
 
Visitation will be Wednesday, October 27, from 3-8 p.m. at Haley Funeral Home in Southfield, Michigan (24525 Northwestern Highway) with a memorial service at 7:00 p.m.  A memorial Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, October 28, at 10:00 a.m. at Transfiguration Church (25225 Code Road,), also in Southfield.
 
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Capuchin Soup Kitchen, 1820 Mt. Elliott Street, Detroit, MI 48207.