Good News! Brian Banks Lines Up 4 NFL Tryouts After Rape Exoneration

May 31st, 2012 - By Brande Victorian

Source: NY Daily News

Last week we all felt for Brian Banks after we heard that he had lost 10 years of his life, his chance of attending USC on a football scholarship, and what he thought was his opportunity for a career in the NFL when he was falsely accused of rape as a 16-year-old high school student. Brian was exonerated of the rape and kidnap charges last Thursday after his accuser admitted to lying, but the good news for the 26-year-old doesn’t end there.

On June 7, Brian will have his chance at an NFL career with a scheduled tryout with the Seattle Seahawks. What’s ironic is Brian will be trying out for Pete Carroll, the same man who offered him a full ride to USC 10 years ago when he was the head coach at the university. Now he’s giving Brian another shot as the coach of the Seahawks.

If by some chance Brian doesn’t match up to Seattle’s expectations, he still has other options. The aspiring athlete has also gotten calls from the Washington Redskins, Kansas City Chiefs, and the Miami Dolphins. And even if those opportunities don’t work, he can always accept a position he was offered to work in the front office for Major League Baseball team, the Arizona Diamondbacks.

“I about fell out of my seat when I read that one,” Brian said during an appearance on the Today show, speaking on his change of luck.

This news is incredible in so many ways for Brian, who not only spent five years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit and another five on parole. He’s also had to walk around with an ankle bracelet, register as a sex offender, and struggle to find jobs with a rape and kidnapping charge on his record. Now, opportunities are falling into his lap and he’s ready to take advantage of his new found freedom.

“I feel very confident in getting that tryout and producing on the field,” Brian told the Seattle Times. “I’ve been working extremely hard for this opportunity.”

In a separate interview with ESPN’s Rick Reilly the 6-foot-2, 245-pound man who was a linebacker in high school and led his team to a state championship when he was a junior said he promises to deliver during tryouts.

“I’ll make ‘em happy,” he said. “After all I’ve been through these last 10 years, I can still do some things that will impress you.”

Somebody better sign this man.

Brande Victorian is a blogger and culture writer in New York City. Follower her on Twitter at @be_vic.

More on Madame Noire!

Tags:

, , , , , ,
More from StyleBlazer
More from MommyNoire

Comment Disclaimer

Comments that contain profane or derogatory language, video links or exceed 200 words will require approval by a moderator before appearing in the comment section. XOXO-MN

  • Pingback: Bossip Certified Links | BizNax

  • Pingback: Bossip Certified Links - Worldswagg | Worldswagg

  • dgrrl

    he’s about to get sooo much free azzz lol
    but seriously, this is wonderful and I wish him more blessings!!!

  • Sammilu1224

    I remember this story.. the accuser and her mother CAME OFF! I believe the school district paid over a million dollars in the settlement, though he’s been exonerated, justice has not been served until this comes full circle.  They should not just get away scott free..I can’t wait to see how this plays out.

  • CA Pullen

    This is great.   This young man need to focus on getting an education.  He should not be so focus on the NFL.  It great, wonderful that he has an opportunity to try out for the NFL but at the same time, he need to have a plan B in the event he gets cut from the team or have an injury that can cause him not to be able to play anymore.   These young people needs to stop looking at being an athlete as a way out and look at other alternatives.    There other things you can do beside being an athlete.  Congrats again to this young man.

  • Prissy

    SO did GOD put his behind in jail??? LIKE for real… YES this is amazing but can yall please STOP with this nonsense??? HOW do you explain him being falsely accused?? Do we blame that on the devil??? -__-

    • DILLIGAF98

      Girl shut up. People are free to believe whatever they want. Take a nap. If they would like to blame that on the devil- tell me how does that affect your life?

  • Charlieshine1

    What a wonderful follow up to a sad story. 

  • Tisha

    Power of Prayer, so happy for him!

  • Mls2698

    I hope ol’ girl reads this.

  • http://profile.yahoo.com/HB2EZDGOE26ZXUUUH666QOL2ZQ Lola

    I was so happy when I read the story earlier today! Brian, may you go very far in your NFL career, the whole nation is rooting for you!!

    I hope to see a movie about your life story in the near future; as for the wretched hag who falsely accused you, may she and all her descendants never know peace.

  • L-Boogie

    Happy for him.

  • Baddvixentype

    Beautiful. Joseph.

  • @msredbonebrite

    Look at GOD!!!! That’s wonderful news! I wish him nothing but the best!!

    • Marco Panache.com

      couldn’t agree with you more, you gotta admire the fortitude and poise he displayed in handling this situation!! However, I still fail to undrstnd how perp escaped jail time for obstructing justice, lying to an officer of the law, perjury, filling a false report and theft of money by false pretenses…how is it so?

  • Pingback: UPTOWN Magazine » Brian Banks Lines Up 4 NFL Tryouts After Rape Exoneration

  • Tee

    Definitely a blessing…and a reminder that God is still in control!

  • http://twitter.com/prfectisshe myprfectimprfections

    he’s a good looking brotha hope he goes all the way . he’s been thru a lot god bless him .

  • TRUTH

    Great news.  Glad he can have a second chance!!