Chiefs bringing in non-rapist

[saphojunkie]

http://espn.go.com/espn/story/_/id/7986979/redemption-brian-banks

http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2012/0530/espn_brianbanks_576.jpg

It's not every day that the Washington Redskins call up a man convicted of rape and ask him if he'd agree to a one-day workout, but it happened Tuesday.

Oh, and the Kansas City Chiefs called Tuesday, too. And the Miami Dolphins. And they were three days behind the Seattle Seahawks, who will work him out on June 7.

Why are all these NFL teams eager to check out a convicted sex offender, a man who served five years in prison and wore a GPS ankle bracelet for another five?

Because Brian Banks didn't do it.

A judge in Long Beach, Calif., threw out his kidnapping and rape conviction last week after looking at a videotape of his accuser admitting she lied. After 10 years, he was suddenly a free and innocent man.

"My mouth hurts from smiling so much," Banks told me Tuesday night. "Unbelievable."

Banks was 16 in 2002, the bluest of blue chips out of Long Beach Poly High School, an NFL feeder if there ever was one. He'd already been offered a full-ride scholarship at USC by then-coach Pete Carroll.

But on a summer day that year, he and a girl named Wanetta Gibson decided to go make out in a stairwell at school. When they came out, she accused him of rape.

No semen traces in the rape kit. No witnesses. And yet Banks' attorney insisted he cop a plea, saying his size, age and race would mean a sure conviction of 40-plus years. He said no, no, a hundred times no and finally, reluctantly, yes.

Banks got six years. He served 62 months.

When he got out, he had to wear a GPS ankle bracelet at all times. He had to register as a convicted sex felon. Couldn't go near schools, parks or zoos. Couldn't get a job. He was lucky to get a few hours a week unloading docks.

What did Gibson get? A $750,000 settlement from the school.

But then, last year, a chunk of luck fell from the stars. Out of the blue, Gibson, then 24, sent Banks a Facebook friend request.

Banks slammed the laptop cover down and jumped out of his chair. Was somebody playing a joke on him?

He looked again. Amazing. Gibson had typed, "Let's let bygones be bygones."

Easy for her to say. She didn't watch 10 years of her life go by.

"She was adamant about meeting me," Banks says. "I asked my brother (Freddy), 'What should I do?' He said, 'Whatever you do, make sure you play chess, not checkers.'"

Banks' first move: To get everything she said on tape. He hired a private investigator and met Gibson in the man's office, where every conversation is secretly videotaped. The tape recorded Gibson saying, clearly, "No, he did not rape me."

Was he nervous she wouldn't say it?

"I didn't have to get her to say anything," Banks said. "She came into the room expressing herself. She even came back the next day. The investigator asked her again, point blank. 'Did Brian rape you?' 'No.' 'Did he kidnap you?' 'No.'"

And why would Gibson meet with Banks in the first place? Was it a trap? Was it guilt? No. Banks thinks Gibson -- are you ready for this? -- was hoping to get back together.

"You read the texts and that's the only conclusion you come to," says a source who worked on the case. "She seems absolutely clue-free about what she did to him."

Getting evidence is one thing, getting your rape conviction flipped is another. Banks called the California Innocence Project in San Diego. They agreed to help. It was the first time they'd taken a case of a man already out of prison.

"As soon as we met him, we had no doubt," says Justin Brooks, the lead attorney. "We could see this was a kid who had a big future ahead of him, one that had been lost."

On Thursday, May 24, in a Long Beach courtroom, Banks got his future back.

What's the first thing he did, besides cry at the courtroom table? Snipped off the stupid ankle bracelet, the scarlet letter of our age. "Oh, man, when that thing came off?" Banks says. "There are no words."

Then he went with Brooks' wife and kids to a place he couldn't have gone the day before -- Sea World.

"It's so crazy to go from being labeled a monster to seeing your phone light up with all this support and offers and love," he said. "It's, really, a little hard to get used to."

And what does Banks want most now? Retribution? Revenge? Gibson's head on a serving platter? No. He's not even demanding Gibson give the money back. While he is suing the state for $100 for each day he was falsely imprisoned, what he wants back most is football.

[+] EnlargeBrian Banks
AP Photo/Nick UtBanks celebrates his exoneration and freedom with his mother, Leomia Myers.
Thanks to the best Tuesday of his life, he's now got a chance at it.

None of the four teams are offering any guarantees for a spot in training camp, nor is Banks asking for any.

"I'll make 'em happy," says Banks, who's been training non-stop since October. "After all I've been through these last 10 years, I can still do some things that will impress you."

Like ... dead-lift 545 pounds, box jump 55 inches flat-footed, broad jump 10-plus feet and run a 4.6 40, all at 6-foot-2 and 245 pounds. NFL trainer Gavin Macmillan, who has volunteered to train Banks for free, says he has a shot. "You see him run and you can see why USC wanted him."

And if the NFL doesn't pan out? Banks already has all kinds of job offers. One of them is to "work in the front office and explore other sports opportunities" for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

"I about fell out of my seat when I read that one," Banks said.

I don't know about you, but I can't remember another story that made me want to alternately punch something and hug something like this one. The way Banks has handled himself, without bitterness or bile, with grace and guts, makes you wish he were running the U.S. Senate. If it were me, I'd be stomping around, waving lawsuits and screaming, "I TOLD you I didn't do it!!!"

"I know my story makes people angry at first," Banks says. "That's where I was, too, at first. But where would it have gotten me to stay mad for 10 years? It's like when you're a little kid and you cry about having to clean your room. You can cry and cry, but it doesn't get your room cleaned."

Brian Banks' room is clean again. His heart is spotless. He's holding on to nothing but his dreams. He lost a full decade of his life and now all he wants in exchange is an NFL jersey.

C'mon, Miami Dolphins. Who's had more "Hard Knocks" than Brian Banks?

[DaKCMan AP]

Q

http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showthread.php?t=259999

[Hammock Parties]

Can we get that girl to hook up with Matt Cassel?

[In58men]

Hmm he was released and Big Ben is in custody. Fishy

[saphojunkie]

Q

http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showthread.php?t=259999

11:19 vs 11:20. I think I'll ignore the Q, given that the posts were happening simultaneously, and mine has picture.

Pics or GTFO, right?

[DaKCMan AP]

11:19 vs 11:20. I think I'll ignore the Q, given that the posts were happening simultaneously, and mine has picture.

Pics or GTFO, right?

I'd concede your point if it contained pics of the chick. However, it does not. Overruled.

[saphojunkie]

I'd concede your point if it contained pics of the chick. However, it does not. Overruled.

tO THE GOOGLEZ

[saphojunkie]

http://www.inflexwetrust.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IFWT-Wanetta-Gibson-3.jpg

[Mr. Laz]

she needs to spend some time in jail

[Rain Man]

He should be allowed to rape and kill that woman. Seriously, she should have to do the same sentence that he got, and serve the full thing and get the same sex offender treatment when released.

I hope the guy makes the team and becomes a star.

[gblowfish]

That chick is seriously f'ed up:

http://tinyurl.com/7ku7tur

[Hammock Parties]

powerful photo

http://www.laobserved.com/assets_c/2012/05/brian-banks-nick-ut-thumb-600x557-13137.jpg

[The Dawg?]

yeah right he did it

[Hammock Parties]

http://uptownmagazine.com/files/2012/05/Brian-Banks.jpg

[ModSocks]

Saw this on the news the other day. What really pisses me off is the fact that the dumb bitch got paid $750,000 or wrongly accusing an innocent man of rape.

[Rain Man]

yeah right he did it

My reading of the article is different.

[The Dawg?]

My reading of the article is different.

another black man set free because of race.

[Pasta Little Brioni]

JFC. She should be prosecuted and spend as many days in jail as he did.

[Rain Man]

another black man set free because of race.

What makes you think he's black? He's not black.

[milkman]

I hope this guy is raping offenses this season for someone.

[Lzen]

another black man set free because of race.

WTF? Are you just trying to get negative responses?

No DNA evidence.
No witnesses.
Accuser admitted he did not rape her.

What more do you need?

[Fairplay]

I hope this guy is raping offenses this season for someone.



Yeah and i hope he has a Chiefs uniform on while doing that.

[Micjones]

WTF? Are you just trying to get negative responses?

No DNA evidence.
No witnesses.
Accuser admitted he did not rape her.

What more do you need?

Do not feed the trolls.

[Micjones]

I hope Banks gets a real look around the league.
When I first heard this story I thought he'd probably get a few phonecalls.

I think he played WR in High School, but he's pretty rocked up and oughta project out as a Tight End in the NFL.

[frankotank]

another article.
she should go to jail for twice the time he served. I'm pretty sure I'd want to kill her.......

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/brian-banks-exonerated-on-rape-conviction-to-work-out-with-nfl-teams-053012

[Micjones]

That's awesome that Pete Carroll will have him in for a look.
Sucks that they recently made the trade for Winslow though.

[Bump]

this kid deserves a 2nd chance, I cant imagine he's going to do anything though.

[boogblaster]

prolly too late .. he needed the college experince ..

[mikey23545]

Well, now that she's stated he wasn't guilty of rape, and he's been set free, she should be shot in the fucking head.

[InChiefsHeaven]

How come she's still free? One would think that profiting from false accusations would get you in jail...or at least forced to pay back the money!

[Lzen]

One thing I really don't like about this is that now he's suing the state. He should be suing his attorney and that girl.

[frankotank]

Well, now that she's stated he wasn't guilty of rape, and he's been set free, she should be shot in the ****ing head.

fucking A!

[Chiefs Pantalones]

Everybody loves non-rapists.

[HemiEd]

Well, now that she's stated he wasn't guilty of rape, and he's been set free, she should be shot in the ****ing head.

Or, at the very least refund the $750,000 and do the guys laundry for life. Doubt he would want any sexual favors from the skank.

[vailpass]

The penalty for false accusation of rape needs to be the same as the penalty for rape. Both are in the same category of ruining someone's life.
Then again, that bitch wouldn't have admitted he didn't rape her if that was the case.
Bitch.

[tooge]

he should be allowed to actually raper her as often as he........eeeeew, saw her picture. Shoot her.

[Thig Lyfe]

I hope Banks gets a real look around the league.
When I first heard this story I thought he'd probably get a few phonecalls.

I think he played WR in High School, but he's pretty rocked up and oughta project out as a Tight End in the NFL.

Wasn't he a middle linebacker?

[Rain Man]

One thing I really don't like about this is that now he's suing the state. He should be suing his attorney and that girl.


Yeah, you're right. The state didn't do anything wrong. I guess if he had a public defender then that public defender didn't do right by him, but we don't know if he had a private or public attorney, and that's an iffy battle anyway. He should definitely sue that girl into the ground, though, and she really should do a whole lot of prison time.

[Kerberos]

another black man set free because of race.

WTF? Are you just trying to get negative responses?

No DNA evidence.
No witnesses.
Accuser admitted he did not rape her.

What more do you need?

Look at this douche bags date of membership. This is someones mult.

[saphojunkie]

Look at this douche bags date of membership. This is someones mult.

"I am a shithead racist, but I recognize that's unpopular, so I will start a fake profile to say my shithead racist thoughts, meanwhile keeping my true identity secret."

[Bump]

How come she's still free? One would think that profiting from false accusations would get you in jail...or at least forced to pay back the money!

uhh, because our "justice" system is a complete and utter joke.

[rtmike]

Wasn't he a middle linebacker?

That's what I thought.

[Pasta Little Brioni]

3 quarters of a mill for ruining a young man's life. Hell, she probably blew it all too.

[Marcellus]

I don't even know what to say except WTF is wrong with the justice system in California?

Oh, never mind, its ****ing California.

[CaliforniaChief]

I hope he is able to set out with life and not get bound up in the bitterness of the past. I'm really rooting for him, and would love to see him in KC just because its a great story.

And while the woman in question should pay a heavy price (like years in prison and fines she could never repay), things have a way of working out in the end.

[InChiefsHeaven]

One thing I really don't like about this is that now he's suing the state. He should be suing his attorney and that girl.

They should have done a much better job of prosecuting the case. Sounds like they were pretty lazy. Dude was a victim of the system as well as the crazy broad. He's only asking for 100.00 a day from the state. That's MORE than reasonable. And he won't get a damn thin dime out of that silly wench, although he should go after her in civil court and ruin her...

[alnorth]

Apparently the Arizona Diamondbacks told him that if his NFL dream doesn't pan out, they'll give him a job in their front office.

[alnorth]

One thing I really don't like about this is that now he's suing the state. He should be suing his attorney and that girl.

Its just the law in CA. There's apparently a statutory compensation of $100 a day available, he only has to prove that he was wrongfully imprisoned. Since it works out to less than 200 grand, and because of the publicity, I imagine the state will just concede and hand him the money without a fight.

[BillSelfsTrophycase]

This is why you don't dip your stick in crazy kids

[BillSelfsTrophycase]

As Chris Rock said...I didn't say he killed her...but I understand

[KcMizzou]

This is why you don't dip your stick in crazy kidsAint that the truth. It goes without saying that rape is a horrible, horrible crime.. and every accusation should be taken seriously. But false accusations should be taken just as seriously. She should suffer the same penalty he did, IMO. (and then some, considering he could possibly have had a multi million dollar football career.)

[BillSelfsTrophycase]

"Let bygones be bygones"

WTF you fucking cunt? Dude did five fucking years...

He's showing a fuckton of restraint by not going all Leatherface on her ass

[Rausch]

Yeah, you're right. The state didn't do anything wrong. I guess if he had a public defender then that public defender didn't do right by him, but we don't know if he had a private or public attorney, and that's an iffy battle anyway. He should definitely sue that girl into the ground, though, and she really should do a whole lot of prison time.

He should have just smiled and said: "It's a process..."

[Thig Lyfe]

Apparently the Arizona Diamondbacks told him that if his NFL dream doesn't pan out, they'll give him a job in their front office.

That's cool and all, but what are his qualifications? Not raping somebody?

[alnorth]

That's cool and all, but what are his qualifications? Not raping somebody?

The guy's articulate, and its not like all front office jobs are complex business or rocket science. Could be as simple as trying to hustle to sell tickets, or working in the stadium to coordinate events, or other weird, random, miscellaneous office-type tasks. Those often go to people who knew somebody who knew somebody, anyway. Not glamorous, but it sure as hell beats "daytime laborer who can't find regular work" that he's doing now.

[Shogun]

casey printers was in jail for rape?

[Two-Twenty]

Prison rape is a serious subject

Especially when minors are locked up with adults

[Epic Fail 007]

well a black woman will always lie for a buck or some attention,thats a fact.

[BillSelfsTrophycase]

well any woman will lie for a buck or some attention,thats a fact.


FYP (and no, I'm not black)

[Epic Fail 007]

FYP (and no, I'm not black)

real cute asshole i did not say this you made it,stfu

[BillSelfsTrophycase]

real cute asshole i did not say this you made it,stfu


u mad bro?

[Fairplay]

well a black woman will always lie for a buck or some attention,thats a fact.



Can't believe you said that. Is that ban worthy Phobia?

[Hammock Parties]

Yes, why single out black women? All of them do it.

[Two-Twenty]

ROFL

No racism until page 4? U guys are slipping

[Micjones]

Wasn't he a middle linebacker?

You're right, he was. I thought I'd read WR somewhere.

[J Diddy]

That's cool and all, but what are his qualifications? Not raping somebody?

He was the commissioner of the prison fantasy baseball league.

[Joe Seahawk]

Banks invited to minicamp next week. Seems like a good kid.


http://www.seahawks.com/videos-photos/videos/Press-Conference-Brian-Banks/1f6426c3-c230-45b6-81e7-e85a71807cc6#?id=21c85e4c-1902-497e-bb34-d0ad4c1378c0&channelName=Recent

http://www.seahawks.com/videos-photos/videos/Press-Conference-Brian-Banks/1f6426c3-c230-45b6-81e7-e85a71807cc6

[saphojunkie]

well a black woman will always lie for a buck or some attention,thats a fact.

You're a fucking moron.

[Phobia]

Can't believe you said that. Is that ban worthy Phobia?

Probably. Looks like another mod just decided to hang an embarrassing name on him for it. He's already left in frustration and started a new account. I didn't see this until today so please use the "report post" if there is any doubt.

[Okie_Apparition]

It doesn’t appear the San Diego Chargers will pursue linebacker Brian Banks. However, the Kansas City Chiefs appear set to take a look at him.

U-T San Diego reports that San Diego coach Norv Turner said the team doesn’t plan to invite Banks back after his Friday workout. The paper adds that Banks will soon work out with the Chiefs.

Banks worked out for the Seahawks on Thursday, and the team invited him back for its upcoming minicamp. Banks was recently exonerated from a sexual assault charge on which he was convicted 10 years ago. He was 16 and prized USC recruit when he went to jail; he is now 26. Seattle coach Pete Carroll is the man who recruited him at USC.

-Your AFC WEST reporter at ESPN

[ShowtimeSBMVP]

Josh Looney ‏@JoshLooney

Crennel said he liked what he saw in Brian Banks, considering time spent away from football. Left it at that pointing personnel ?s to GM

[Thig Lyfe]

PRINT EM

[Micjones]

Josh Looney ‏@JoshLooney

Crennel said he liked what he saw in Brian Banks, considering time spent away from football. Left it at that pointing personnel ?s to GM

I thought Banks was going to take the Seahawks up on their minicamp offer?

[suzzer99]

Why did he plead no contest? Did he think he was going to get off easier than 6 years?

[Thig Lyfe]

Why did he plead no contest? Did he think he was going to get off easier than 6 years?

Read the article, dummy.

[Dave Lane]

this kid deserves a 2nd chance, I cant imagine he's going to do anything though.

Hell he needs a first chance.

[InChiefsHeaven]

Why did he plead no contest? Did he think he was going to get off easier than 6 years?

From the article:

No semen traces in the rape kit. No witnesses. And yet Banks' attorney insisted he cop a plea, saying his size, age and race would mean a sure conviction of 40-plus years. He said no, no, a hundred times no and finally, reluctantly, yes.

People listen to their lawyers...sadly sometimes.

[BourbonMan]

Brian Banks takes his next step with the UFL

In a different world, Brian Banks might have been an All-American linebacker at USC, a high NFL draft pick, and the owner of multiple Pro Bowl nominations by now. Instead, Banks' story and journey to the pros has a far more compelling narrative.

Falsely accused of rape at age 16, the former high school standout linebacker spent five years in prison and another five years on probation before he was finally exonerated in May. Banks, who had lost 50 pounds in the last year as he trained against all odds for the chance at the NFL he had been so cruelly denied before, immediately received interest from several NFL teams. Banks attended some summer minicamps, flew back to his Los Angeles home to begin work with elite NFL trainer Travelle Gaines, and bided his time.

Now, Banks has taken a significant step forward on his road to the NFL by signing with the Las Vegas Locos of the United Football League. The team announced the move on Wednesday.

That early list of NFL teams included the Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers, Washington Redskins and Seattle Seahawks, whose head coach, Pete Carroll, had received a verbal commitment to USC from Banks a decade before. In June, Banks went to Seattle for a test workout, which went well enough for Banks to be invited back for the team's mandatory minicamp later that month.

"I didn't even know if I was going to have a number, a jersey…I didn't know what to expect when I first got here," Banks said. "I got to my locker and saw there was a jersey in it — number 43. And I just wanted to take a picture of it just for myself. It's just amazing to see my name on the back of it. It's an honor to be taken serious and to be given this opportunity."

The most impressive thing about Banks from a purely competitive perspective was that after so long away from the game, he looked like an undrafted free agent who would probably come up short on first cuts. Banks ran to the ball with average speed in non-contact drills, he showed decent speed and flexibility in his drops, and he certainly appeared to be a step late to the action at times ... but given the circumstances, it was pretty impressive.

"Size-wise, strength-wise, and all that kind of stuff, he's in the right kind of profile," Carroll said after that first practice. "So he did a good job. We've got to look at the film and see what's going on with that, but I was really proud of him today."

"Well, you know, he's a little behind -- he might be a little rusty," Seahawks linebackers coach Ken Norton Jr. added. "But there's the foundation. Does he look like a ballplayer? Yes. Does he move well? Yes. Is there a chance? Absolutely. The idea is, can he line up, and can he chase the ball? It's about making a first impression, and I liked the first impression he left."

Banks went away without a contract offer, but he's been on the minds of those who run personnel in the NFL.
"He's further along that I would have thought," Seahawks general manager John Schneider told me in June. "As a group, we'd all say the same thing if we were sitting around the table. He really exceeded expectations. I thought he'd be somewhat out of shape, which he was, but he knows he has a long way to go from a training standpoint. But he fit in, and it was surprising throughout the weekend how well he did. He moved well, he saw the ball well. He knows he's a little late with things, and he's got a way to go. But we talked about it, and I think that he has a chance to be a practice squad player somewhere toward the middle of the season, when there are a lot of street [free agents] who become part of practice squads. I think that would be a great thing for him. In my mind, that would be his starting point.

"He's really a guy that you hope -- whether it's here or somewhere else -- he's on a practice squad, learning how to play again."

As Gaines told me during the three days I spent at his gym in West Hollywood in July, Banks changed the feel of the place from the moment he walked in. Gaines, who offered to train Banks free of charge, said that other players in the gym were more inspired to go through their workouts when perhaps they weren't feeling optimal, because they could see how much the chance meant to Banks.

Aware of his impact, Banks wants to be an inspiration.

"I feel like what I've been through these past 10 years shows that I have a determination factor of not giving up, of keeping hope in whatever it is that you want to accomplish in life that you can," Banks said in June, when asked what he can offer to teammates in a mental and emotional sense. "And I'm more than willing to be that person on any team that if someone is feeling down one day, or someone is feeling like giving up, or someone is feeling like they can't get to that next step in their life, I'm definitely there to talk to them and be that person of encouragement.

"At the same time, I feel like my situation is no different from anybody else's experiences. I always say, 'It's not what you go through, but how that experience affects you.'"

He's not where he wants to be just yet, but Brian Banks still has a chance to be affected by the NFL experience in a more permanent sense.

..

[Thig Lyfe]

In a different world, Brian Banks might have been an All-American linebacker at USC, a high NFL draft pick, and the owner of multiple Pro Bowl nominations by now.


Pro Bowl nominations? Isn't every player technically nominated for the Pro Bowl?

[pr_capone]

I hope this guy gets to wear an NFL jersey in a real game. That scummy bitch stole his entire future.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

This is why you don't dip your stick in crazy kids

LMAO That Casshole sig is tits.

What a maroon...

[BourbonMan]

New Falcon Brian Banks full of inspiration

Each offseason, Atlanta Falcons coach Mike Smith has his players read a book of inspiration or listen to a motivational speaker.


This offseason, Smith and the Falcons have gone a step further and brought in the real deal with Brian Banks, who signed with the team Wednesday. You can excuse Banks if his signature on the contract looked even larger than John Hancock's famous autograph.

This moment of personal accomplishment and freedom was 10 years in the making.

Banks is a living, breathing combination of the best of Stephen Covey, Joel Osteen and Jon Gordon. Ray Lewis has nothing on Banks when it comes to overcoming adversity. Smith has had his players listen to Gordon and even read some of his books, such as "The Energy Bus", "Soup" and "The Shark and The Goldfish".

Spend 30 minutes listening to Banks and you get the message better than Gordon could ever write or speak. Banks is a man who has gone from losing 10 years of his life to having a shot at a dream after his accuser finally recanted. Gordon has a future without the restrictions and disgusting reputation that went with being considered a sex offender.

"It's almost hard to explain or impossible to explain the feeling of not having freedom," Banks said during a conference call Wednesday. "To be stripped away of your freedom, of your dignity, of the respect you once had. To lose it all and watch the world pass you by as you sit inside a prison cell, knowing that you shouldn't be there, knowing that you're there for another person's lies, to lose it all and wake up one day and get it all back, it's a very humbling, spiritual feeling that you don't want to take anything for granted.

"Stepping outside your house when you want to, being able to sit on the stoop on the porch, being able to open up a refrigerator when you're hungry just to see what's inside of it. Just being able to be around people who smile at you and say hello to you and being able to say it back. Not to have to look over your shoulder in prison, behind bars. That's why I work so hard for the dreams I want to succeed in because there was one point I had nothing, I lost everything. I know it's something that most haven't experienced and I wish it was something no one ever had to experience."

The message was spoken clearly and concisely from a man who spent his years in prison reading every book he could find, looking up words in a thesaurus and practicing his public speaking even though he never knew if he'd ever use the skills he was practicing.

Banks, as has been well-documented, was wrongfully imprisoned for five years after being convicted of rape when he was 17. He was one of the top high school linebackers in the country, a junior at powerhouse Long Beach Poly High in California who had verbally committed to nearby Southern Cal.

[More: Offensive guru Greg Roman a victim of his own success]

He then spent five years on parole, having to wear a tracking device on his ankle, having to register as a sex offender, having to stay at least 2,000 feet from any school and having to endure the scorn of those who believed the accusations.

Sure, he was out of prison, but calling that freedom is akin to seeing a dog roam a yard while chained to a tree. Not only had a decade of his life been taken away, but the future held little promise. Find a job? Be serious: Banks was radioactive.

While that changed when his accuser finally admitted her story was a lie, getting to Wednesday took much more dedication from Banks. He signed his contract while wearing a blue sweatshirt with an appliqué of a California license that said "XONR8," smiling as proudly and happily as if he was 17 again. He not only used his time behind bars to better himself, he refused to give in to the violence, destruction and anger that pervades prison life. He describes the people who had a "one-track mind of violence and negativity."

"If you're in prison, especially in the state of California, you will be tested," said Banks, who was recently featured on "60 Minutes", has an Oscar-winning director following him for a documentary and is in talks for both a book and a feature film. "Riots, fights, you name it. … In order not to go crazy [in prison], I had to let go of my dreams and goals."

An overwhelming majority of people in Banks' situation would have some hint of scorn, of anger, of some negative emotion. Banks has none that you can detect and that's powerful by its absence. He thanked God and his mother for making him strong enough to resist breaking down mentally
That, of course, is a fine segue to what Smith and the Falcons are trying to accomplish. Football is defined by mental and physical hardship, about surviving whatever is thrown at you, both as an individual and as a team.

Atlanta finally took a step this past season by winning a playoff game for the first time under Smith and quarterback Matt Ryan. However, the Falcons lost the next week to San Francisco in the NFC championship game when a last-minute drive came up short at home.

In a competitive conference that features the San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Green Bay Packers and the New York Giants among others, the Falcons are no sure thing to be in the hunt again. It is easy to imagine a scenario in which they don't even make the playoffs in a division that features the New Orleans Saints, Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

To get back, the Falcons will have to put the disappointment of last season behind them.

Then again, considering what Banks has had to put aside from the past decade, what the Falcons can call disappointment is almost amusing.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nfl--new-falcon-brian-banks-full-of-inspiration---203601215.html

[ndws]

This is why you don't dip your stick in crazy kids

For clarification, is that "crazy, kids"

or "crazy kids"

[Red Brooklyn]

Incredible. Good for him. Best of luck. I'll be excited to see what he can do for the Falcons.

[MotherfuckerJones]

Wow fuck this guys attorney. What a pussy of an attorney. Good attorneys would fight it. If there's no semen found in the rape test, and no witnesses how would he have been convicted? Because he is black? Right good job by his attorney

[BlackHelicopters]

We need all the non-rapists we can get.

[kepp]

Wow **** this guys attorney. What a pussy of an attorney. Good attorneys would fight it. If there's no semen found in the rape test, and no witnesses how would he have been convicted? Because he is black? Right good job by his attorney

And nothing happens to the girl who lied and stole a decade of his life.