Brian Banks

[DockRat]

Wrongly convicted at Long Beach Poly High School of rape.
Did 5 years in prison.

Does he have a chance in the NFL ?

http://www.nwcn.com/news/157821785.html

by TRAVIS PITTMAN / KING 5 News

NWCN.com

Posted on June 7, 2012 at 8:18 AM

RENTON, Wash. – A man who spent five years in prison after being wrongfully convicted of rape will arrive at Seattle Seahawks Headquarters Thursday to get a shot at his NFL dream.

Banks, 26, was accused of rape and kidnapping when he was 16-years-old. He was convicted in 2003 and sent to prison, but was exonerated last month after the accuser admitted on tape that she lied.

Seahawks Head Coach Pete Carroll released a statement through the team Wednesday saying that Banks deserves a "second chance at his dream."

Banks' tryout was scheduled during one of Seattle's OTA workouts, but the OTA was taken away by the league because Seattle had violated terms of the collective bargaining agreement banning live contact.

But Banks' tryout will still take place. The tryout will not be open to media.

Carroll says he's talked to Banks a couple of times this week and says he's excited about the opportunity. Carroll says if Banks does well, the Seahawks will invite him to next week's minicamp.
Banks was a one-time high school star at Long Beach Poly. Banks said Rivals.com had ranked him the 11th best recruit in the nation. Ten years ago, Carroll recruited him to play for USC.

“We were starting the recruiting process with him way back when as he was finishing up his junior year and we had seen him in springtime and kind of liked what we saw and we were excited about recruiting him. But soon after, he ran into his problems and he never was able to get back for his senior year of football so we kind of lost track of him and we really lost track of the story until it resurfaced here for us,” said Carroll.

Late Wednesday night, Banks tweeted “I haven’t flown in 15 years!! And have only done it once… Respect your freedom. #cherishTheSmallThings we’re off!”

Falsely accused

In an interview on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” Wednesday, Banks said he knew his accuser from middle school, but the two had not dated.

“I still, to this day, don’t really know (why she lied). I can assume a few things,” said Banks.

Banks said there was no DNA evidence linking him to the alleged crime. His mother sold her home and car and borrowed money from friends and family to hire an attorney. Banks said the attorney wanted him to agree to a plea deal.

“I guess that’s just how the system works,” said Banks. “If you’re going to fight against the charges that are put against you, they want to try and entice you with some type of deal to avoid any trial.”

[DarkShadow]

The jail time may have ruined his chances, as he may not have been as properly conditioned, and he didn't have the opportunity to play with a D1 powerhouse like USC, which would have definitely honed his talents for the NFL.

He should sue the girl for ruining his life. ;-)