Brian Banks Ecstatic With Atlanta Falcons Debut, Exonerated Victim Fighting For Roster Spot

It took years and an unthinkable ordeal to arrive at the point, but Brian Banks still described his preseason and NFL debut as "better than any roller-coaster ride you can ever get on."

After spending five years in prison for a rape he’s since been absolved of, and another five years on probation, the 28-year-old Atlanta Falcons rookie linebacker has another chance of salvaging the NFL career he always craved.

The woman who made the allegations against him while both were high school students has now recanted her story, and back in May of 2012 his conviction was overturned by the state of California.

Five months ago, the Falcons signed him to a free agent deal and Banks has been pushing the proverbial envelope ever since. The Falcons dropped their preseason opener to Cincinnati 34-10, but even that couldn’t dim Banks’ enthusiasm.  

"It was out of control," he told reporters. "Just running out there, the flames, the cheers and the crowd, it was emotional. It really was. I wasn't nervous at all. I wasn't over-excited or anything, but just running out of that tunnel, I mean, the adrenaline that comes with that is just indescribable.”

Banks said he received even more encouragement from his teammates throughout the game. “Just to be on the sideline and to hear all the veterans tell you, 'Man, when your turn comes, when they call your number, just play.’ Just the support and love from everybody is more than I can ask for,” he said.

The 6-foot-2, 250-pounded knows he needs a strong preseason to earn an opening day roster spot. He’s listed as Atlanta's third-string middle linebacker, behind Akeem Dent and Pat Schiller.

"I was motivated," said Banks said. "I was like, 'I got to pick up a tackle. I got to get at least one tackle.”

 

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