Atlanta Falcons Sign Brian Banks

This is a heartwarming story! Once an NFL hopeful that spent 5 years of his life behind bars after falsely being accused of rape is now free and no longer a “hopeful”. The 27-year-old linebacker will be joining the Atlanta Falcons, finally getting that well deserved second chance.

Via ESPN

The Atlanta Falcons on Wednesday signed linebacker Brian Banks, who was exonerated last year in a California rape case in which he was falsely accused.

The 27-year-old linebacker will participate in Atlanta’s offseason workouts with a chance to resume his career. The Falcons have scheduled a conference call for Wednesday with Banks.

Banks served more than five years in prison following a conviction a decade ago on rape and kidnapping charges. The woman later recanted her claim and offered to help Banks clear his name.

Banks was trying to land a spot in the NFL and got his first tryout with the Seattle Seahawks last year. He also received tryouts with the San Diego Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs, and eventually took part in Seattle’s minicamp last June.

“We are pleased to have Brian join our team,” Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said in a statement. “We had a chance to work him out last year and have been monitoring his progress since then. He has worked extremely hard for this chance over the last year and he has shown us that he is prepared for this opportunity. We are happy that Brian will have a chance to live out his dream of playing in the NFL and we look forward to seeing him on the field.”