Did Brian Banks Play In The Nfl?

As a kid, Brian Banks dreamed of playing in the NFL. After being falsely accused of rape and spending five years in prison, he was finally exonerated. But did he ever get a chance to play in the NFL?

Early Life

Brian Banks (born July 24, 1985) is a former American football linebacker. He played college football at the University of Southern California (USC), and was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL Draft.

High School

In his senior year, Banks helped Polytechnic to an undefeated 13–0 record and the CIF Division I state championship. He made 132 tackles, seven sacks, forced five fumbles and had two interceptions that year. He was a two-time first-team All-American selection by PrepStar and earned first-team All-American honors from USA Today. He was also the Long Beach Press Telegram’s “Dream Team” Defensive Player of the Year and a two-time CIF Division I Defensive Player of the Year. As a senior tight end, he caught 18 passes for343 yards (19.1 ypr) and four touchdowns

College

Banks played college football for the University of Southern California (USC), after redshirting his freshman year. As a Trojan, he was a two-time All-Pac-10 selection, and earned first-team All-American honors as a senior in 2002. That season, he helped lead USC to an undefeated 13–0 record, a #1 ranking in both major polls, and a victory in the Rose Bowl over Iowa. He finished his career with 303 tackles, 8 sacks and 5 interceptions.

False Allegations

The case of Brian Banks is a tragic one. Brian was a promising high school football player who had verbally committed to USC on a full scholarship. His life was derailed when he was falsely accused of rape and spent five years in prison.

The Arrest

On June 10, 2002, Banks was with a group of friends at Long Beach Polytechnic High School when they were approached by the victim, Wanetta Gibson. She accused Banks of rape. He was arrested and charged with five felonies, including rape, kidnapping and forcible sodomy. If convicted, he faced 41 years to life in prison.

The Trial

On May 24, 2002, a 17-year-old high school student accused Banks of rape. He was subsequently arrested and jailed for five days, until his grandmother could post his $1 million bail. The girl later changed her story and said the sex was consensual, but by then it was too late. Banks had already spent five days in jail, been suspended from school and missed a football scholarship to USC. Facing the possibility of 41 years to life in prison, he took a plea bargain that required him to register as a sex offender and spend more than five years on prison probation.

The Aftermath

In the years following his release, Banks struggled to put his life back together. He was required to register as a sex offender, which made it difficult for him to find housing or a job. In 2012, he was hired as a coaching intern by the Seattle Seahawks, but was let go after one season. In 2013, he finally achieved his dream of playing in the NFL when he signed a contract with the Atlanta Falcons. He was released by the team before the start of the regular season, but later signed with the Las Vegas Locomotives of the United Football League.

The NFL

Yes, Brian Banks played in the NFL. He was a linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons.

The Comeback

In 2002, while still in high school, Banks was wrongfully accused of rape and fingered by the victim. The case against him was entirely based on the victim’s testimony with no DNA evidence or any other physical evidence to link Banks to the crime. Although he maintained his innocence, he was sentenced to 69 years in prison. He spent more than five years in prison and another five years on parole before his conviction was finally overturned in 2012.

Banks’ story gained national attention, and he became an advocate for reforming the criminal justice system. In 2013, he signed with the Las Vegas Locomotives of the UFL, becoming the first man with a felony conviction to play professional football in nearly 50 years. He also worked with the NFLPA as a youth ambassador, encouraging kids to stay out of trouble and follow their dreams.

In February 2016, Banks finally got his shot at making an NFL roster when he attended a regional combine for prospects who had either been bypassed in the NFL Draft or had been released from NFL teams. Although he did not receive an invitation to the NFL Scouting Combine, he impressed scouts with his 4.69-second 40-yard dash time and 32-inch vertical leap.

The Reality

Many people dream of playing in the NFL, but the reality is that only a small handful of people ever make it to that level. Among those who do make it to the NFL, an even smaller number are able to sustain a long and successful career. Brian Banks is one of the rare exceptions.

A standout high school football player, Banks was recruited by some of the top college programs in the country. He ultimately committed to the University of Southern California, one of the premier NFL schools. However, his career was derailed when he was convicted of a crime he did not commit and spent five years in prison.

Despite this setback, Banks never gave up on his dream of playing in the NFL. He was eventually exonerated and signed with the Atlanta Falcons in 2013. He played in two games for the Falcons before being released, but he persevered and was later signed by the San Francisco 49ers. He played in nine games for the 49ers, starting two, before being released again.

Banks’ story is an inspirational one and a reminder that anything is possible if you never give up on your dreams.

The Legacy

Banks was a highly touted linebacker out of Long Beach Polytechnic High School. He verbally committed to USC, but due to a sexual assault accusation, he never got to play for the Trojans. After serving 5 years in prison and being exonerated, the Atlanta Falcons gave him a chance to play in the NFL.

The Film

The film The Legacy is a 2010 American sports drama film directed by Thomas Carter. The film stars Brian Banks as himself, alongside Greg Kinnear, Sherri Shepherd, and Djimon Hounsou. The film is based on the true story of Banks, who was falsely accused of rape and spent five years in prison as a result.

The film was released in the United States on August 13, 2010, and grossed $1.7 million against its $20 million budget.