AP Photo/Long Beach Press-Telegram, Brittany Murray

Last year we told you about the story of Brian Banks, who at 16 was once a top football prospect with scholarships to play in college, but ended up serving more than five years in prison and had five years of probation thrown on him after being falsely accused of rape. As the story went, Banks claimed he and fellow student, then-15-year-old Wanetta Gibson, on school grounds, made out, groped each other, but never had sex. However, after ending their rendezvous together on a bad note, Gibson claimed that Banks raped her, and before he knew it, he was arrested and facing more than 40 years in jail. Pushed by his lawyer to take a plea deal instead of fighting, Banks went to prison, and Gibson won millions from the school district after her mother claimed the school environment clearly wasn’t a safe one.

After his release in 2011, Gibson of course contacted Banks, they met up, and she admitted lying the whole time, but didn’t tell the truth to police because she thought she would have to give her settlement money back and didn’t want her children to look at her negatively. Banks actually recorded this conversation, and after the fact, with the help of the California Innocence Project, his conviction was overturned last year, and life could finally go on for him.

And boy has it gone on on a good note! He has been training since his release in 2011 so that he could try out for NFL teams. Last summer, Banks was offered the chance to tryout with a few different NFL teams, and though they didn’t pick him up, he did get to play in the UFL for the Las Vegas Locomotives for a short time. But with that experience and his talents, just today Banks was able to sign with the Atlanta Falcons, and he will be fighting for a linebacker spot on the team. Participating in off-season workouts, if things work out, he’ll get a contract and finally fulfill those dreams he had back in high school before lies and the judicial system halted them for years.

On a side note, when he’s not trying to play football, Banks has teamed up with the California Innocence Project to be their spokesperson. He hasn’t tried to pursue any lawsuits against his accuser and doesn’t want retribution as all has been forgiven by him, but he just wants to be free to play the sport he loves. Kudos to that man, now 27. His future is bright!

Source: Getty Images

It only took four seasons, and probably an even longer time than we know, for Sheree Whitfield to finally go after her ex-husband, former NFL star Bob Whitfield, for child support money owed to her. Now, the former “Real Housewives of Atlanta” reality star is finally getting what’s due to her children because according to TMZ, Bob has just 21 days to pay her the $75,000 owed in overdue child support.

According to legal docs obtained by TMZ … Bob admits he failed to make 38 monthly child support payments of $2,142 to the “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star … more than $81k.

Bob claimed he simply didn’t have the money — and had asked the court to lower his obligation … but that was denied.

Now, the two sides have struck a deal in which Bob has agreed to hand over $75k before Nov. 11 … or face the consequences in court.

In addition to the $75k, Bob has also agreed to pay $1,000 per month for the next 12 months — before reverting back to the original $2,142.

In TMZ’s snarky fashion, they added a little “fun fact” at the end of their report noting that back in 2000, Bob signed a six-year, approximately $30 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons. Read between the lines: there’s no reason he should be anywhere near broke as he claims 12 years later. Ah well, at least Sheree’s children will finally get the money they’re due and hopefully he’ll keep up with future payments. It also sounds like she made a good move, passing on Phaedra’s legal counsel and getting a new lawyer.

Source: thehollywoodgossip.com

From TMZ

Atlanta Falcons running back Michael Turner was arrested for DUI early this morning … hours afters he helped crush Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos on Monday Night Football.

Turner — who rushed for 42 yards and a TD in the MNF victory — was initially pulled over in his black Audi R8 around 4:06 AM for speeding … 97 in a 65.

During the stop, officers detected the presence of alcohol and arrested the 30-year-old NFL star for driving under the influence.

Read more at TMZ

Source: fashionzdaughter.com

Dang! Anybody else ready for the NFL season to get started? If you say you’re not geeked up, you probably haven’t seen the fine specimen that is Atlanta Falcon defensive end, Ray Edwards. The 27-year-old ’6″5 piece of man is not only a successful defensive end, but he’s also trying his hand at boxing (1-0 so far!) and wants to do a bit of modeling on the side. Despite all the tattoos, with a body like his, I don’t see why he wouldn’t kill as a male model. If you’d like to see further proof of the great-ness of what he’s working with, take a look through his Eye Candy gallery. You won’t be sowwy.

(Atlanta Journal Constitution) — Got a monster truck rally — take it to the Georgia Dome.  Want to pull off a major rock concert that’s too big for the Fox Theatre or need a place for robot battles, the Dome is open for business.

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