Atlanta Falcons Sign Falsely Imprisoned High School Football Star Brian Banks
 

After serving five years in jail for a crime he didn't commit, former high school football star Brian Banks will finally have the chance to live out his NFL dream.

NFL insider Jay Glazer originally reported that the Atlanta Falcons had signed the linebacker to a contract, and the team later confirmed the news

The signing comes just 10 days after 60 Minutes aired a feature on Banks, detailing the young man's false imprisonment after being accused of raping and kidnapping a high school classmate in 2002. Banks ended up serving a five-year jail sentence and four years of probation before being exonerated last year, according to Jaime Uribarri of the New York Daily News.

The linebacker had a number of NFL tryouts last year before ultimately signing with the Las Vegas Locomotives of the UFL.

The Falcons obviously saw something in the former prep star, so he will now have an opportunity to play at the NFL level. Banks worked out for the Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers, San Diego Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs last year, and while none of those teams offered him a contract, he was undeterred.


After what Banks has gone through over the past decade or so, it should come as no surprise that his perseverance has led him to this point.

Banks almost certainly would be well into his NFL career by now if not for his wrongful jail stint. But now he's playing catch-up due to the fact that he missed part of his high school career and never had the opportunity to play college ball at USC, the school he verbally committed to.

Banks is still only 27 years old, though, and his talent is undeniable. The 2012 UFL season was cut short due to financial issues, so Banks was unable to show NFL teams what he could do in game situations, but the Falcons had obviously seen enough to give him a shot.

There is no guarantee that Banks will make the team, but just getting the chance to do so has to feel good for a man that had the best years of his life taken away from him.

Atlanta Falcons Sign Falsely Imprisoned High School Football Star Brian Banks | Bleacher Report

He might be the only Falcon I'll ever pull for.

Re: Atlanta Falcons Sign Falsely Imprisoned High School Football Star Brian Banks
 

It's a great human interest story & I'm rooting for him. Doesn't change my opinion of the Falcons any. We're still good though, Crusader, :mrgreen:.

Re: Atlanta Falcons Sign Falsely Imprisoned High School Football Star Brian Banks
 

And that knocks their cap space down to $1M.

Re: Atlanta Falcons Sign Falsely Imprisoned High School Football Star Brian Banks
 

Good. Seems like some PR stunt but I hope it isn't. The sad part is L.A. prosecutors have no plans to charge the woman for making false accusations. What a great way to prevent this from happening again. She gets to keep the settlement and never has to go to jail.

Re: Atlanta Falcons Sign Falsely Imprisoned High School Football Star Brian Banks
 

+1. Yeah, it boggles my mind too when I read that about her. She should be 'under' the jail.

Re: Atlanta Falcons Sign Falsely Imprisoned High School Football Star Brian Banks
 

I pray this kid makes it !

Re: Atlanta Falcons Sign Falsely Imprisoned High School Football Star Brian Banks
 

I hope he makes the roster. He deserves to be on an NFL team.

Re: Atlanta Falcons Sign Falsely Imprisoned High School Football Star Brian Banks
 

Yeah, as long as I remember the Falcons have been in need of players with good character. :)

Re: Atlanta Falcons Sign Falsely Imprisoned High School Football Star Brian Banks
 

Hope it works out for him. However, wouldn't be surprised if being in prison wasn't the initial draw for the Falcons.

Re: Atlanta Falcons Sign Falsely Imprisoned High School Football Star Brian Banks
 

I was rooting for this guy to be picked up since I read his story. I'm glad he's getting a second chance. However, I don't see much difference with him being in prison and being a member of the Falcons. :p

Re: Atlanta Falcons Sign Falsely Imprisoned High School Football Star Brian Banks
 

Just can't root against the guy really. Too bad it's the failclowns, but I wish the guy well.

Re: Atlanta Falcons Sign Falsely Imprisoned High School Football Star Brian Banks
 

Brian Banks runs Falcons' defense at rookie minicamp

Brian Banks is 27 years old. It's not a normal age for an NFL rookie, but normal really isn't in the equation when talking about Banks' life and football career.

A former high school star who essentially lost 10 years of his life over a crime he didn't commit, Banks is getting his shot at an NFL career with the Atlanta Falcons.

Playing in a rookie minicamp with players who mostly are six years younger than him, Banks ran the defense at the middle linebacker spot, the Falcons' official website reported Saturday.

It's a sharp learning curve for a player who never saw a snap of college action.

"It was real good today to get out there," Banks said. "I've been in film the last two weeks, so to get a chance to get out there and put all the knowledge that we've been putting on paper out onto the field was a really good experience for the first time. It was really fast-paced. I made a lot of really good moves, made a lot of mistakes, so adjustments will be made."

Banks tweeted Sunday about his first minicamp experience.


I want to thank Coach Smith and the @Atlanta_Falcons for this opportunity. And thank u EVERYONE for the well wishes and support ! #RiseUp
- Brian Banks (@BrianBanksFREE) May 5, 2013

The NFL is not a place of charity. Roster spots are too valuable, and Banks won't make the Falcons on goodwill alone. He'll need to show he's physically ready and mentally connected to a game that moves much faster than it did in his high school days.

If Banks is on the field for the Falcons in Week 1, consider it one of the NFL's great underdog triumphs.

Brian Banks runs Falcons' defense at rookie minicamp - NFL.com

Re: Atlanta Falcons Sign Falsely Imprisoned High School Football Star Brian Banks
 

I wish this kid all the best.

Re: Atlanta Falcons Sign Falsely Imprisoned High School Football Star Brian Banks
 

I hope they drop him & we pick him up

Re: Atlanta Falcons Sign Falsely Imprisoned High School Football Star Brian Banks
 

I thought I made a post on this thread that falcons were trying to buy a sob story to help their image.

Re: Atlanta Falcons Sign Falsely Imprisoned High School Football Star Brian Banks
 

Well, he shows a lot of character & I'm sure there are more then a few teams that will look at him should he not make the Falcons. On the other hand, if he's got some talent, Banks makes the squad and his depth-of-character influences Roddy White to shut his mouth ... it's a win-win, :mrgreen:.

Re: Atlanta Falcons Sign Falsely Imprisoned High School Football Star Brian Banks
 

brianbanksfree
För 1 timme sedan
Game Day. Never thought this day would come. And if it all ended here tonight... Mom, I did it. #dreamchaser

Brian Banks @ Instagram

Re: Atlanta Falcons Sign Falsely Imprisoned High School Football Star Brian Banks
 

Its a nasty story that.
I listen to his interview with rich Essien and it was disgusting what happened with him.Team bias aside i wish the man all the best.
I hope he makes the team and Ingram runs over him on the opening weekend.

Re: Atlanta Falcons Sign Falsely Imprisoned High School Football Star Brian Banks
 

From falsely imprisoned to playing for the Falcons... Will this guy ever catch a break?

I'm pulling for him.

Re: Atlanta Falcons Sign Falsely Imprisoned High School Football Star Brian Banks
 

Re: Atlanta Falcons Sign Falsely Imprisoned High School Football Star Brian Banks
 

Rookie one-on-one: Brian Banks - Video - SI.com

Sounds like a level headed guy.