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'{{Short description|American football player (born 1985)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=October 2019}} {{Infobox NFL biography |name=Brian Banks |image=Brian Banks 1.jpg |caption= Banks in 2018 |birth_date={{birth date and age|1985|7|24}} |birth_place= [[Long Beach, California]] |death_date= |death_place= |height_ft=6 |height_in=4 |weight_lbs=250 |high_school=[[Long Beach Polytechnic High School|Long Beach Polytechnic]]<br>([[Long Beach, California]]) |college= [[Long Beach City College]] |undraftedyear=2007 <!-- four years from HS graduation --> |pastteams= * [[Las Vegas Locomotives]] ({{UFL Year|2012}}) * [[Atlanta Falcons]] ({{NFL Year|2013}})* |number=53 |position=[[Linebacker]] |pastteamsnote=yes |nflnew=brianbanks/2541108 }} '''Brian Keith Banks''' (born July 24, 1985)<ref name="calindex"/> is a former [[American football]] player. He signed with the [[Atlanta Falcons]] of the [[National Football League]] (NFL) on April 3, 2013.<ref name="a"/><ref name="released"/> Banks signed as an undrafted free agent with the [[Las Vegas Locomotives]] of the [[United Football League (2009–12)|United Football League]] in 2012.<ref name="espn1" /><ref name="cbs1"/> Banks was a standout high school football star at [[Long Beach Polytechnic High School|Polytechnic High School]] (Poly) in [[Long Beach, California]]. In 2002, his Junior year, Banks verbally committed to [[USC Trojans football|USC]].<ref name="ap1"/> After being falsely accused of [[rape]] by classmate Wanetta Gibson, he spent close to six years imprisoned and five years on parole. In 2012, his conviction was overturned when his accuser confessed that she had fabricated the entire story. Following his exoneration, Banks sought to resume his football career, playing for the now-defunct United Football League (UFL), attending mini-camps for several NFL teams, and later signing with the Atlanta Falcons. ==High school career== A native of [[Long Beach, California]], Banks attended [[Long Beach Polytechnic High School]], where he was teammates with [[DeSean Jackson]], [[Darnell Bing]], [[Winston Justice]], and [[Marcedes Lewis]]. He was named one of [[Rivals.com]]'s "Juniors to Watch" of the class of 2003.<ref name="rivals1"/> He was expelled from school due to a rape accusation that was later proven to be false. ==Professional career== In the summer of 2012, Banks received tryouts with several NFL teams, including the [[Kansas City Chiefs]], [[San Diego Chargers]], and [[San Francisco 49ers]]. He attended minicamp with the [[Seattle Seahawks]], whose head coach, [[Pete Carroll]], had offered Banks a scholarship in 2002 when he was head coach at USC.<ref name="a"/><ref name="nbc1"/> ===Las Vegas Locomotives=== Banks signed with the [[Las Vegas Locomotives]] of the [[United Football League (2009)|UFL]] on September 20, 2012, appearing in two games–his first meaningful game action since playing in his last high school game more than 11 years earlier. He made one tackle before the UFL suspended its season in October.<ref name="seahawks1"/> ===Atlanta Falcons=== Banks signed with the [[Atlanta Falcons]] on April 3, 2013, participating in offseason workouts, OTAs, and training camp.<ref name="cnn1"/><ref name="b"/> Banks made his NFL debut in a preseason game against the [[Cincinnati Bengals]], where he picked up two tackles.<ref name="exonerated"/><ref name="fan1"/> He played four preseason games with the Falcons before being released on August 30, 2013.<ref name="released22"/> ===National Football League (NFL)=== [[File:Brian Banks 2.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Brian Banks after his exoneration]] In 2014, Banks was asked by [[NFL Commissioner]] [[Roger Goodell]] to speak at the 2014 NFL draft Rookie Symposium. Banks accepted and his speech was well received. A few weeks later, he was hired to join the NFL Department of Operations.<ref name="exonerated22"/><ref name="nfldream"/> ==Personal life== In May 2015, Banks married Emmy Marino. They had no children and filed for divorce in February 2017.<ref name="divorced"/> == False accusation of sexual assault == In the summer of 2002, aged 16, Banks was arrested and charged after classmate Wanetta Gibson falsely accused him of dragging her into a stairway and raping her. He was expelled from Long Beach Polytechnic High School right after being taken into custody and placed at Juvenile Hall.{{clarify|date=April 2021}} Shawn Ashley, who was a co-principal of Long Beach Poly High had claimed that Banks would not be allowed back on campus regardless of any jurisdictional outcome. Faced with a possible 41 years to life sentence, he accepted a [[plea bargain]] that included five years in prison, five years of probation, and [[Sex offender registries in the United States|registering as a sex offender]]. Banks says that his lawyer said that by pleading no contest he would receive probation, but no jail time.<ref name="Daily"/> Gibson and her mother Wanda Rhodes sued the [[Long Beach Unified School District]], claiming the Poly campus was not a safe environment, and won a $1.5 million settlement.<ref name="usa1"/><ref name="c"/> === Confession of false accusation === In March 2011, Gibson contacted Banks on [[Facebook]], met with him, and admitted in the presence of a private investigator Banks had hired that she had fabricated the story. Banks secretly recorded Gibson's confession, but she later refused to tell prosecutors that she had lied so she would not have to return the money she and her family had won in court.<ref name="c"/> === California Innocence Project === Prior to the taped confession, Banks had asked for help from the [[California Innocence Project]] (CIP), a nonprofit law school clinic run by the San Diego-based [[California Western School of Law]] that investigates and litigates cases of [[actual innocence]]. At that time, however, there had not been sufficient evidence of Banks's innocence for them to take on the case. However, after the confession, CIP decided to make it the organization's first case involving a wrongfully convicted person who had already been released from prison.<ref name="c"/> The video evidence was not admissible in court because the video had been made without Gibson's knowledge or consent and was not accompanied by a signed confession from her. However, CIP was instrumental in putting together additional evidence supporting Banks' story, which led the district attorney to ask the judge to reverse the conviction on May 24, 2012. Banks was also relieved of his record as a sex offender, allowing him to resume his sports career.<ref name="Daily"/><ref name="Banks"/><ref name="Koehler"/> Banks supports CIP in its efforts on behalf of the wrongly convicted, participating in CIP's 2013 Innocence March.<ref name="march"/> === School lawsuit === In 2013, the Long Beach Unified School District won a $2.6 million judgment against Gibson, recouping $750,000 in payments paid to her along with attorney's fees, interest, and $1 million in punitive damages;<ref name="press"/><ref name="winsjudgement"/> Gibson failed to appear in court.<ref name="prosecution"/> ==Film adaptation== [[Brian Banks (film)|A feature film project based on Banks' story]], co-executive produced by Banks and Justin Brooks of CIP, premiered in 2018 and was released in August 2019.<ref name="Tiffany"/><ref name="memphis"/> It is directed by [[Tom Shadyac]] and features [[Aldis Hodge]] as Banks, [[Greg Kinnear]] as Brooks and [[Tiffany Dupont]] as CIP attorney [[Alissa Bjerkhoel]].<ref name="Tiffany"/><ref name="movietrailer"/> ==See also== *[[List of wrongful convictions in the United States]] ==References== {{Reflist|30em|refs= <ref name="calindex">{{cite web | title =California Births, 1905 - 1995 | publisher =Family Tree Legends | url =http://www.familytreelegends.com/records/calbirths?c=search&first=brian&last=banks&spelling=Exact&4_year=1985&4_month=7&4_day=24&5=&7=&SubmitSearch.x=65&SubmitSearch.y=18 | access-date = August 9, 2013}}</ref> <ref name="espn1">{{cite news | agency =Associated Press | title =Brian Banks to play for Locomotives | work =[[ESPN]] | date =September 19, 2012 | url =http://espn.go.com/united-football-league/story/_/id/8398967/exonerated-lb-brian-banks-getting-chance-ufl | access-date = August 9, 2013}}</ref> <ref name="cbs1">{{cite web | author =CBS/AP | title =Brian Banks, football player exonerated in rape case, to sign with UFL team | work =[[CBS News]] | date =September 19, 2012 | url =http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-400_162-57516203/brian-banks-football-player-exonerated-in-rape-case-to-sign-with-ufl-team/ | access-date = August 9, 2013}}</ref> <ref name="ap1">{{cite news|agency=Associated Press|title=Brian Banks signs with Las Vegas UFL team|url=http://www.presstelegram.com/news/ci_21596391/brian-banks-signs-las-vegas-ufl-team|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130131153925/http://www.presstelegram.com/news/ci_21596391/brian-banks-signs-las-vegas-ufl-team|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 31, 2013|access-date=September 21, 2012|newspaper=Press-Telegram|date=September 20, 2012}}</ref> <ref name="a">{{cite news|last=Adams|first=Jay|title=Falcons Sign LB Brian Banks|url=http://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/article-1/Falcons-Sign-LB-Brian-Banks/8ef31f22-88e7-4f18-a177-6fadd2400c50|access-date=April 3, 2013|newspaper=atlantafalcons.com|date=April 3, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130406043329/http://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/article-1/Falcons-Sign-LB-Brian-Banks/8ef31f22-88e7-4f18-a177-6fadd2400c50|archive-date=April 6, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> <ref name="rivals1">{{cite web | last =Kimbrel | first =Rick | title =Junior To Watch: Brian Banks | work =[[Rivals.com]] | date =March 29, 2002 | url =https://footballrecruiting.rivals.com/barrier_noentry.asp?ReturnTo=&sid=&script=content.asp&cid=91795&fid=&tid=&mid=&rid= | access-date = August 9, 2013}}</ref> <ref name="nbc1">{{cite web|url=http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/06/06/pete-carroll-excited-to-give-brian-banks-a-chance/ |title=Pete Carroll excited to give Brian Banks a chance |work=Profootballtalk.nbcsports.com |date=June 7, 2012 |access-date=April 3, 2013}}</ref> <ref name="seahawks1">{{cite web|last=Farnsworth |first=Clare |url=http://blog.seahawks.com/2013/04/03/brian-banks-gets-another-shot-at-nfl/ |title=Brian Banks gets another shot at NFL |work=Blog.seahawks.com |date=April 3, 2013 |access-date=April 3, 2013}}</ref> <ref name="cnn1">{{cite news|last=Shoichet|first=Catherine|title=Exonerated Brian Banks signs with Atlanta Falcons|url=http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/03/us/georgia-football-player-exonerated/index.html?hpt=hp_bn1|work=CNN.com|publisher=Turner Broadcasting System|access-date=April 4, 2013|date=April 4, 2013}}</ref> <ref name="b">{{cite web|url=http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/9128819/atlanta-falcons-sign-exonerated-brian-banks |title=Atlanta Falcons sign exonerated Brian Banks |work=[[ESPN]] |date=May 12, 2012 |access-date=April 3, 2013}}</ref> <ref name="fan1">{{cite web | last =De Artola | first =Alicia | title =Brian Banks makes NFL debut after false rape conviction | work =Fansided | date =August 8, 2013 | url =http://fansided.com/2013/08/08/brian-banks-plays-in-first-nfl-game/ | access-date = August 9, 2013}}</ref> <ref name="usa1">{{cite web|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/preps/football/story/2012-05-24/brian-banks-rape-conviction-overturned/55192420/1 |title=Ex-Poly standout has rape and kidnapping conviction reversed |publisher=[[Gannett]] |work=[[USA Today]] |date=May 24, 2012 |access-date=April 3, 2013}}</ref> <ref name="c">{{cite web|url=http://articles.latimes.com/2012/may/25/local/la-me-rape-dismiss-20120525 |title=A 10-year nightmare over rape conviction is over |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=May 25, 2012 |access-date=April 3, 2013}}</ref> <ref name="press">{{cite web | last =Mellen | first =Greg | title =Long Beach Unified wins judgment against accuser in false rape case against Brian Banks | work =[[Press-Telegram]] | date =June 14, 2013 | url =http://www.presstelegram.com/news/ci_23465959/long-beach-unified-wins-judgment-against-accuser-false | access-date =August 9, 2013 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20130806201642/http://www.presstelegram.com/news/ci_23465959/long-beach-unified-wins-judgment-against-accuser-false | archive-date =August 6, 2013 | url-status =dead}}</ref> <ref name="Daily">{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/wrongfully-imprisoned-banks-career-nfl-article-1.2090727|title=Brian Banks spent five years in prison after being falsely accused of rape, but now he finally has a career in NFL|last=Myers|first=Gary|work=[[Daily News (New York)|New York Daily News]]|access-date=January 6, 2018|date=January 25, 2015}}</ref> <ref name="Banks">{{cite web|title=Brian Banks|url=https://californiainnocenceproject.org/read-their-stories/brian-banks/|website=California Innocence Project|publisher=California Innocence Project|access-date=January 6, 2018}}</ref> <ref name="Koehler">{{cite web|last1=Koehler|first1=Francie|title=Exonerating the Innocent|url=https://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/74656/exonerating-the-innocent|website=PI’s Declassified|publisher=VoiceAmerica|date=December 12, 2013|access-date=January 6, 2018}}</ref> <ref name="march">{{cite web|last1=Cocca|first1=Christina|title=Brian Banks and His Mother Join "Innocence March" to Protest Wrongful Convictions|url=http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Brian-Banks-and-mother-join-california-innocence-project-march-207055401.html|website=NBC-4 Los Angeles|publisher=NBC|date=May 11, 2013|access-date=January 6, 2018}}</ref> <ref name="Tiffany">{{cite news|last1=Lee|first1=Ashley|title=Tiffany Dupont Joins Greg Kinnear in Brian Banks Drama|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/tiffany-dupont-joins-greg-kinnear-brian-banks-drama-exonerate-1043984|access-date=January 6, 2018|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=September 28, 2017}}</ref> <ref name="memphis">{{cite web|last1=Detling|first1=Dave|title=Brian Banks Movie Production Filming In Memphis, Seeks Football "Fans"|date=October 9, 2017|url=http://www.localmemphis.com/news/local-news/brian-banks-movie-production-filming-in-memphis-seeks-football-fans/831562098|website=localmemphis.com (Channel 24)|publisher=Nexstar Media Group|access-date=January 6, 2018}}</ref> <ref name="released">{{cite web|url=http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000236456/article/brian-banks-reportedly-released-by-atlanta-falcons |title=Brian Banks released by Atlanta Falcons |work=NFL.com |date=August 30, 2013 |access-date=April 10, 2015}}</ref> <ref name="exonerated">{{cite web|title=Exonerated Football Player Brian Banks Back on the Gridiron After Five Years in Prison|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/brian-banks-back-field-best-moments-life/storynew?id=19931048|work=ABC News|access-date=August 12, 2013}}</ref> <ref name="released22">{{cite web|last=Patra|first=Kevin|url=http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000236456/article/brian-banks-released-by-atlanta-falcons|title=Brian Banks released by Atlanta Falcons|publisher=[[National Football League]]|date=August 30, 2013|access-date=August 30, 2013}}</ref> <ref name="exonerated22">{{cite web|title=Exonerated of rape, Brian Banks now realizing NFL dream – in different capacity|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/exonerated-of-rape--brian-banks-realizing-nfl-dream-%E2%80%93-in-different-capacity-005927279-nfl.html|website=[[Yahoo! Sports]]|access-date=January 27, 2015}}</ref> <ref name="nfldream">{{cite web|title=Banks' NFL Dream Leads To League Office|url=http://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/article-1/Banks-NFL-Dream-Leads-to-League-Office/dc05bd84-aa0a-45e0-b5ee-c45adc4c49c0|website=[[Atlanta Falcons]]|access-date=January 27, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150523170448/http://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/article-1/Banks-NFL-Dream-Leads-to-League-Office/dc05bd84-aa0a-45e0-b5ee-c45adc4c49c0|archive-date=May 23, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> <ref name="divorced">{{cite web|url=https://www.tmz.com/2017/03/18/exonerated-football-star-brian-banks-getting-divorced/|title=Exonerated Football Star Brian Banks Getting Divorced|website=TMZ|access-date=August 8, 2019}}</ref> <ref name="winsjudgement">{{cite news|url= https://www.dailynews.com/2013/06/14/long-beach-unified-wins-judgment-against-accuser-in-false-rape-case-against-brian-banks/ |last=Mellen |first=Greg |title=Long Beach Unified wins judgment against accuser in false rape case against Brian Banks |publisher=Los Angeles Daily News |date=June 14, 2018 |access-date=November 19, 2018}}</ref> <ref name="prosecution">{{cite news|url= http://articles.latimes.com/2012/may/26/local/la-me-rape-dismissal-20120526 |title=Prosecution of false accuser in rape case seen as difficult |newspaper=LA Times |date=May 26, 2012 |access-date=November 19, 2018}}</ref> <ref name="movietrailer">{{cite web|url=https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/entertainment/2019/04/24/brian-banks-movie-trailer-released-aldis-hodge-sherri-shepard-tom-shady-memphis-movies/3561750002/ |title='Brian Banks': Trailer released for movie filmed in Memphis |work=Commercialappeal.com |date=April 24, 2019}}</ref> }} ==External links== *[https://web.archive.org/web/20160813165633/http://www.atlantafalcons.com/team/roster/Brian-Banks/ec1c2918-d673-4af8-99de-c08d5af48d14 Atlanta Falcons bio] *[http://www.lasvegaslocos.com/team/players/index.html?player_id=78 Las Vegas Locomotives bio] *[http://www.justsportsstats.com/footballstatsindex.php?player_id=banksbri001 Just Sports Stats] *{{cite web | last =Farrar | first =Doug | title =Brian Banks takes his next step with the UFL | work =[[Yahoo! Sports]] | date =September 20, 2012 | url =https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/brian-banks-takes-next-step-ufl-151055010--nfl.html | access-date = August 9, 2013}} {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Banks, Brian}} [[Category:1985 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:American football linebackers]] [[Category:Las Vegas Locomotives players]] [[Category:Atlanta Falcons players]] [[Category:Players of American football from Long Beach, California]] [[Category:Overturned convictions in the United States]] [[Category:People wrongfully convicted of rape]] [[Category:Prisoners and detainees of California]] [[Category:Long Beach City Vikings football players]] [[Category:Long Beach Polytechnic High School alumni]]'