Atlanta Falcons Sign Brian Banks Who Spent Five Years in Prison After Being Wrongfully Accused of Rape

An incredible story.

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Complex Original

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The road to the NFL has been a long one for Brian Banks, but today, he's finally being given a chance. At 16, Banks' future looked mapped out with a verbal commitment to USC already in place. Then, he accused of rape by a Long Beach Poly high school classmate. Eventually, the woman recanted her claim, but Banks still spent five years in prison and five years on probation on rape and kidnapping charges before his record was cleared on May 12, 2012.

During the summer of 2012, Banks tried out for Chiefs, Chargers and Falcons before the Seahawks invited him to their mini-camp. Even though he didn't make the team, Banks continued to work hard in an effort to get a legitimate shot at making an NFL team at some point. Today was that day. 

Banks will be involved in Atlanta's offseason workouts on April 22 and that's when his journey towards making the Falcons' 53-man roster begins. While this signing doesn't guarantee anything, Banks remains humble, hungry and optomistic towards this opportunity. "I'm here to work like everybody else and the result of my hard work will be whatever they deem necessary. All I can do is my best and however the turnout will be, I thank God for the opportunity." Good luck. 

RELATED: The 50 Most Infamous Criminals in Sports History

[via ESPN]

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