Brian Banks signs with Falcons after 5-year wrongful conviction

Brian Banks signs with Atlanta Falcons after wrongful conviction

Once falsely accused and locked up, Brian Banks is now getting a shot he deserved long ago, with the Falcons.

Brian Banks Works Out For 49ers; No Contract Offer

The story of linebacker Brian Banks have been one of the more intriguing stories of the NFL offseason since everyone seems to love a redemption story. Banks has had several workouts with NFL clubs over the past few weeks, but hasn't really worked out in front of many head coaches and/or general managers. Banks most recently worked out for the San Francisco 49ers, but left without a contract offer according to Matt Barrows of The Sacramento Bee.

Banks is working his way back in football shape and will resume training in Orange County. He's now had workouts with the 49ers, Seahawks, Chargers and Chiefs. Other teams have shown interest, but with most coaches and general managers on vacation, Banks does not have any workouts lined up in the near future. Neither Jim Harbaugh nor Trent Baalke, for example, were on hand this week for Banks' 49ers tryout.

Banks may not make an NFL roster this season, but there has certainly been plenty of interest in the exonerated linebacker and some coaches have noted he's looked pretty good in his workouts.

For more on Banks' workout in San Francisco, visit SB Nation's Niners Nation. For updates on Banks, keep checking this StoryStream.

Brian Banks Runs Fast For Chiefs; Working Out For 49ers Monday

Brian Banks is still making the rounds, working out for NFL teams as he attempts another shot at a football career. According to Peter King in his Monday Morning Quarterback column, Banks posted a 4.77 second 40-yard-dash time in a workout for the Kansas City Chiefs last week.

Banks missed his first opportunity at a football career when he was wrongfully convicted of rape between his high school playing days and an offer to play at USC. Exonerated, he has been working out for NFL teams this year. His 40 time with the Chiefs, who put him through something of a Combine-like workout, ranks better than eight of the 29 linebacker prospects who ran the drill at the February Scouting Combine.

Banks is working out for the San Francisco 49ers on Monday.

For more on Banks' workout in San Francisco, visit SB Nation's Niners Nation. For updates on Banks, keep checking this StoryStream.

Brian Banks' Next Stop Will Be 49ers For Workout

The San Francisco 49ers will be the next team to take a look at Brian Banks, who wrapped up two days of minicamp with the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday. Banks, exonerated of rape charges last month, has worked out for the Seahawks, Kansas City Chiefs and San Diego Chargers.

SB Nation's Niners Nation writes that Banks is a longshot to make the active roster.

Given that he has been out of football for a decade, Banks is likely looking at a practice squad spot wherever he lands. He has reportedly been working out non-stop for some time now, but he faces an uphill battle to earn a spot on any 53-man roster. For the 49ers, the inside linebacker positions currently include Patrick Willis,NaVorro Bowman, Larry Grant and Tavares Gooden expected to occupy 53-man roster spots. As Gooden will focus on special teams, there could be room for one more spot, particularly if a player can show some versatility.

Being out of the game so long, Banks has to show he can do multiple things, like playing special teams, in addition to linebacker.

For more on Banks' workout in San Francisco, visit SB Nation's Niners Nation.

Brian Banks Works Out For Chiefs; Seahawks' Minicamp Is Next

Brian Banks worked out with the Kansas City Chiefs on Tuesday, and will join Pete Carroll at the Seattle Seahawks' minicamp on Wednesday and Thursday. The 26-year-old linebacker spent five years in prison after being falsely accused of rape. At the time, he was gearing up to accept a scholarship offer from USC as one of the top high school prospects in the country. His legal trouble intervened, but it appears now Banks will get his chance to make good on his NFL aspirations.

Banks had already tried out with the Seahawks previously as well as with the San Diego Chargers. Chiefs coach Romeo Crennel confirmed Tuesday that Banks was at the team's facility and would be working out in front of coaches in the afternoon.

There is no telling what Banks' future holds at this point. It would be a lot to ask, even of someone as highly-regarded as Banks once was, to return to football after five-plus years and play at a professional level. Banks is plenty motivated, however, and many people will be following along every step of the way.

For more on Banks and the Chiefs, head over to Arrowhead Pride and stay tuned to SB Nation Kansas City.

Brian Banks Accepts Seahawks Minicamp Offer

Brian Banks, the 26-year-old former high school football star who spent more than five years in prison on a rape charge of which he was recently exonerated, has accepted Pete Carroll's offer to formally work out for the Seattle Seahawks at their minicamp, according to the Associated Press. He will miss the first day, however, while he works out halfway across the country for the Kansas City Chiefs.

Here's what Carroll said last week about Banks and the invitation to work out for the team:

"He's a young man that has an opportunity to get a second chance at his dream," Carroll said. "I just think he deserves it and we're going to give him a really good look and a serious look, and if he does well and we like him we're going to try to get him to come to minicamp [next week]."

For further updates on Brian Banks's journey, please stay tuned to this StoryStream. For all news and information regarding pro football, please visit SB Nation's dedicated NFL hub.

VIDEO: Brian Banks Tries Out For The Seattle Seahawks

On Thursday the Seattle Seahawks hosted Brian Banks for a workout. It was the first NFL workout for Banks, who was recently released from prison after being falsely accused of rape. Banks has workouts scheduled for several other NFL teams in the coming days.

Win Forever, Seattle head coach Pete Carroll's self-help and leadership training program, produced a short video showcasing Banks' Thursday workout, which you can see below.

Seattle will give Banks an official tryout for the team at next week's minicamp. The team had its OTAs scheduled for this week cancelled after violating the league's no contact rules for OTAs, but they were allowed to keep their appointment with Banks.

Carroll was the head coach at USC in 2002 when he offered Banks, then one of the top high school prospects in the nation, a scholarship. Banks was accused and convicted before he was able to attend college.

For further updates on Brian Banks' journey, please stay tuned to this StoryStream. For all news and information regarding pro football, please visit SB Nation's dedicated NFL hub.

Seahawks Offer Brian Banks Minicamp Tryout

Former high school top prospect Brian Banks was recently freed after spending five years in prison for being falsely accused of rape. He is getting to live out at least some part of his dream, as several pro teams have invited him to workouts. He has also been drawing interest from colleges.

Will Brinson at CBS Sports reports that the Seattle Seahawks are going to take a look at Banks on Thursday at a private workout. Although the team had their OTAs canceled as a result of contact violations, they still intend to honor their invite to Banks. Before the workout, Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll stated that the team would possibly be giving Banks a chance to earn a spot at minicamp next week.

"He's a young man that has an opportunity to get a second chance at his dream," Carroll said. "I just think he deserves it and we're going to give him a really good look and a serious look, and if he does well and we like him we're going to try to get him to come to minicamp [next week]."

Sports Radio KJR in Seattle confirms that Banks has officially been offered a tryout at next week's minicamp. Hopefully the one-time top prospect will finally see his dream come true after a very long wait.

For further updates on Brian Banks' journey, please stay tuned to this StoryStream. For all news and information regarding pro football, please visit SB Nation's dedicated NFL hub.

Brian Banks Drawing College Interest, But Wants NFL Shot

Former high school star Brian Banks, recently released from prison after his 2002 rape conviction was overturned, is doing everything he can to get his football career back to where it should be. He was set to play for USC before being jailed, but has now lined up workouts with a number of NFL teams.

This doesn't mean college teams aren't interested in the former top recruit, who's remained in peak physical condition despite taking almost a decade off:

Heard from several big college programs this wk intrigued by Brian Banks, but sounds like he's trying to make to NFL right now.

— Bruce Feldman (@BFeldmanCBS) May 30, 2012

At 26 years old, Banks would be at least 29 before he could complete three years worth of college ball. While Brandon Weeden was just drafted at 28, he's quite an exception.

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Brian Banks Plans NFL Workouts After Conviction Is Overturned

Brian Banks, falsely accused of rape, has been freed after 10 years. The former top high school prospect is getting a chance to work out with some NFL teams.