Brian Banks, in San Diego, can still run sub-4.7 40
 

Wrongly imprisoned for rape for five years, Brian Banks is now getting a shot at the NFL. There are so many crazy, improbable aspects of the Brian Banks story, but none crazier than this: The guy has options.


Unlock HQ Video HQ video delivered by Akamai
Banks was invited to Seahawks minicamp on a tryout basis next week and now the San Francisco 49ers are also in the mix, according to Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee, but it's unclear if he'll be there considering how he keeps working out for other teams including the Washington Redskins and Kansas City Chiefs were were also reported to be interested.

The Chargers are worked him out on Friday where coach Norv Turner said Banks showed "outstanding athleticism" and that "I certainly would not bet against him," according to U-T San Diego's Michael Gehlken.

Banks appeared on the Tonight Show earlier this week, and the cynical among us might wonder if NFL teams are using Banks for positive public relations. (Banks also taped this video with Pete Carroll for his WinForever.com website.)

Then we listen to Banks talk and we are no longer cynical. He said the tryout for Seattle was the best day of his life other than when his innocence was declared. And it's not like he can't play any football.

The Seattle Times notes that the prospective linebacker ran under a 4.7-second 40-yard dash in Seattle. That's not blazing, but it's not bad at all.

Maybe, just maybe, this crazy story will continue into training camp.

Brian Banks, in San Diego, can still run sub-4.7 40 - NFL.com

Brian Banks makes most of opportunity with Seahawks

Brian Banks, 26, was recently exonerated after spending five years in jail, then another five on parole. Now he's getting a chance with the Seahawks and coach Pete Carroll, who had once recruited him to play linebacker at USC

Brian Banks still has a chance, which is quite incredible considering all he has gone through.

He was incarcerated for five years and on parole for five more before being exonerated last month of charges of rape and kidnapping.

That's what made the tryout Thursday with the Seahawks so remarkable. After losing a decade to California's criminal-justice system, Banks was invited to Seattle for an audition as an NFL linebacker and he got to make the trip without the GPS tracking device he wore for years. Not only that, but his first impression was strong enough the team requested a second look, inviting him to participate in the three-day minicamp starting Tuesday.

"I was really proud to be able to say that to him," coach Pete Carroll said. "And the light in his eye, the emotion that was running through him was amazing. This is a great illustration for us of why people deserve a second chance because of what he's overcome."

It was fitting that Banks' first NFL tryout would be with Carroll, the coach who offered him a scholarship to play linebacker at USC 10 years ago.

That was after Banks' junior year at Long Beach Poly, and before he was accused and charged with raping a fellow student. With Banks facing the possibility of more than 40 years in jail, his lawyer advised him to accept a plea agreement, which Banks did. He was sentenced to a six-year prison term, served just more than five years and was released on parole. Banks' accuser recently recanted her accusation, and with help from the California Innocence Project, Banks' conviction was overturned. He was exonerated May 24 in California Superior Court.

Brian Banks makes most of opportunity with Seahawks | Seahawks | The Seattle Times

I'm so rooting for this guy!

Brian Banks reportedly set for Chiefs tryout next week - NFL.com

I guess no team wants to miss out on the action.

Karma owes this guy bigtime.

He was wrongly accused? Guess that rules out the Bengals ...

I misread the headline and thought it said Briana Banks. Boy I've got my mind in the gutter :)

Good Luck to him I'll be pulling for him.