Falsely imprisoned for rape, Brian Banks perseveres, lands job in NFL
Brian Banks once appeared headed for the NFL, until a wrongful rape conviction put an end to his football dreams. Finally exonerated, he tried out for the league, but, in the end, he had lost too much time.
However, now Banks is in the NFL.
On Friday, Banks tweeted out that he has a job with the league. According to the NFL, Banks will be a manager in the football operations department and on game days assist with the officiating department.
I am honored to say Ive taken an amazing position w/ the front office of the @nfl !God is good! Im moving to #newyork pic.twitter.com/1yqc1tEBWK
— Brian Banks (@BrianBanksFREE) August 1, 2014
My biggest thanks to you @nflcommish (Rodger Goodell) 4 believing! Big thanks 2 @TroyVincent23 ! This is huge. #unbroken #NFL #XON8
— Brian Banks (@BrianBanksFREE) August 1, 2014
It's a result that no one could have predicted back in 2002. Accused of rape by a high school classmate, Banks could have fought the charges -- DNA evidence was on his side -- but his attorney persuaded him to plead no contest and take a deal, rather than risk a long prison sentence.
Banks, a top linebacker prospect in California, lost his chance to play at USC, where Pete Carroll was giving him a scholarship. Instead, Banks spent five years in prison, then came out as a registered sex offender with all of the restrictions that go with it, plus wearing an electronic monitoring bracelet.
However, in 2012, his accuser contacted him and recanted. Banks was exonerated of the conviction.
A year later, at age 27, 10 years removed from playing football, he went to training camp with the Atlanta Falcons and played in the preseason, but was among the late cuts last August. Still, Banks remained positive, tweeting his thanks for the opportunity with his hashtag "#unbroken."
And now he's got a place in the NFL.
-
2024 NFL Draft best bets and odds
2024 NFL Draft Schedule: Date, time, how to watch, TV channel
2024 New NFL uniforms: Texans unveil redesign, new secondary logo
-
Could Dak Prescott and Bill Belichick team up in 2025 — on the Giants?
The Sum God: How Amon-Ra St. Brown’s record WR deal affects other star wideouts
Bears announce plans for new 'state-of-the-art' stadium near lakefront
-
5 Bold Predictions for 2024 NFL Draft: Texas DT Byron Murphy a top-10 pick
2024 NFL Draft odds: Chargers' odds to pick J.J. McCarthy rise on draft eve
Steelers reportedly not expected to pick up Justin Fields' fifth-year option
-
2024 NFL Draft best bets and odds
2024 NFL Draft Schedule: Date, time, how to watch, TV channel
2024 New NFL uniforms: Texans unveil redesign, new secondary logo
-
Could Dak Prescott and Bill Belichick team up in 2025 — on the Giants?
The Sum God: How Amon-Ra St. Brown’s record WR deal affects other star wideouts
Bears announce plans for new 'state-of-the-art' stadium near lakefront
-
5 Bold Predictions for 2024 NFL Draft: Texas DT Byron Murphy a top-10 pick
2024 NFL Draft odds: Chargers' odds to pick J.J. McCarthy rise on draft eve
Steelers reportedly not expected to pick up Justin Fields' fifth-year option