LB Banks signs with Falcons
Linebacker Brian Banks traveled a winding road to the NFL, but he's officially a member of the Atlanta Falcons after a torturous journey to reach the professional ranks.
Banks first confirmed the signing via Twitter on Wednesday.
Cleared in May 2012, Banks was wrongly jailed for five years but released when he was exonerated because the alleged assault victim that put him behind bars recanted 10 years after he was convicted.
Banks worked out for the Seahawks, Chiefs and Chargers last spring and participated in the San Francisco 49ers' rookie minicamp.
He's 6-2 1/2, 240 pounds, he's considered a middle linebacker in a 4-3 scheme.
Banks had been offered a scholarship by USC, but the rape conviction when he was in high school forced his incarceration. He then played one season of football at Long Beach City College after his release in 2007, but he was forced to wear a tracking device, which ended his football career until his conviction was overturned last month.
