A product of Oklahoma State, Tony Banfield signed with the Houston Oilers of the American Football League, an easy decision as he was not drafted by any team in the NFL.  Banfield would win the starting job at Left Cornerback as a rookie, and he helped the Oilers win the inaugural AFL Championship.

Following that success, Banfield went on a three-year tear as one of the top Defensive Backs in the AFL.  The Oilers successfully defended their title in 1961, and Banfield was a First Team All-Pro and AFL All-Star that year and the two after.

He would, unfortunately, have knee problems that forced him out of the entire 1964 Season, and he was mediocre when he was back in 1965.  Banfield retired afterward but still had 27 Interceptions over his brief career and was one of the franchise's first defensive stars.