It's sad that his life has been stalled for the past 10 years over a false rape charge. NY Daily News reports:
More than 10 years after being robbed of his college football dreams, Brian Banks is getting his shot at the NFL.
The former prep star from Long Beach, who was recently exonerated in a 2002 rape case, will try out for the Seattle Seahawks on June 7, the team confirmed to The Associated Press.
“THIS is what I’ve been waiting for!” he tweeted Wednesday night. “If you thought my story was crazy, it’s get crazier.”
Banks, 26, made national news earlier this month when a judge officially threw out charges against him after his accuser admitted she fabricated her claims.
He had served five years and two months in jail after a lawyer advised him to plead no contest to the charges, warning him a jury conviction could result in a lifetime behind bars.
After being released from jail, his accuser contacted him over Facebook and with the help of a private investigator, Banks recorded her confession. He then enlisted the help of the California Innocent Project to get his conviction thrown out.
The Washington Redskins, Kansas City Chiefs and Miami Dolphins have also called Banks for a tryout, but a first chance with the Seahawks may be the most symbolic for the linebacker.
Banks had verbally committed to USC when he was accused of rape. The Trojans’ coach at the time was Pete Carroll, who left the university to coach the Seahawks in 2010.
In an appearance on the “Today” show last week, Banks asked for NFL coaches to give him a shot at his dream.
“Let me show you what I can produce,” he said. “I think that any team that give me an opportunity will be really impressed with what I can do despite what I’ve been through these past 10 years.”
Banks told ESPN he was also offered an opportunity to work in the front office for the Arizona Diamondbacks, a Major League Baseball team.
“I about fell out of my seat when I read that one,” he said.
His lawyer, Justin Brooks, told AP he has been training to get into football shape.
“He has the speed and the strength,” he said. “He certainly has the heart.”
Experts warn that the way back on the field may be hard for Banks, especially after he missed key years in his football development.
Chip Smith, who trains football players in the offseason and for the NFL combine at Competive Edge Sports, warned that Banks may lack non-fitness football skills.
“I applaud him for wanting to chase his dreams, but the reality is it is hard to make the NFL if you are a college graduate who played in a Division I school last year,” he told the Daily News.
“From the training point he can probably get back into shape, it’s going to be the football skill portion that he’s going to have to spend a lot of time developing.”
But like everyone who has heard his story, Smith said he wishes the former prep star success.
“The underdog in everybody pulls for a young man like this,” he said.
The former prep star from Long Beach, who was recently exonerated in a 2002 rape case, will try out for the Seattle Seahawks on June 7, the team confirmed to The Associated Press.
“THIS is what I’ve been waiting for!” he tweeted Wednesday night. “If you thought my story was crazy, it’s get crazier.”
Banks, 26, made national news earlier this month when a judge officially threw out charges against him after his accuser admitted she fabricated her claims.
He had served five years and two months in jail after a lawyer advised him to plead no contest to the charges, warning him a jury conviction could result in a lifetime behind bars.
After being released from jail, his accuser contacted him over Facebook and with the help of a private investigator, Banks recorded her confession. He then enlisted the help of the California Innocent Project to get his conviction thrown out.
The Washington Redskins, Kansas City Chiefs and Miami Dolphins have also called Banks for a tryout, but a first chance with the Seahawks may be the most symbolic for the linebacker.
Banks had verbally committed to USC when he was accused of rape. The Trojans’ coach at the time was Pete Carroll, who left the university to coach the Seahawks in 2010.
In an appearance on the “Today” show last week, Banks asked for NFL coaches to give him a shot at his dream.
“Let me show you what I can produce,” he said. “I think that any team that give me an opportunity will be really impressed with what I can do despite what I’ve been through these past 10 years.”
Banks told ESPN he was also offered an opportunity to work in the front office for the Arizona Diamondbacks, a Major League Baseball team.
“I about fell out of my seat when I read that one,” he said.
His lawyer, Justin Brooks, told AP he has been training to get into football shape.
“He has the speed and the strength,” he said. “He certainly has the heart.”
Experts warn that the way back on the field may be hard for Banks, especially after he missed key years in his football development.
Chip Smith, who trains football players in the offseason and for the NFL combine at Competive Edge Sports, warned that Banks may lack non-fitness football skills.
“I applaud him for wanting to chase his dreams, but the reality is it is hard to make the NFL if you are a college graduate who played in a Division I school last year,” he told the Daily News.
“From the training point he can probably get back into shape, it’s going to be the football skill portion that he’s going to have to spend a lot of time developing.”
But like everyone who has heard his story, Smith said he wishes the former prep star success.
“The underdog in everybody pulls for a young man like this,” he said.
No comments:
Post a Comment