Brian Banks Makes NFL Debut After Lengthy Imprisonment

After spending five years in prison for a crime he didn't commit, few believed that Brian Banks would ever achieve his NFL dream. The 28-year-old linebacker took a big step in the right direction on Thursday night, though, as he played for the Atlanta Falcons in a preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

According to CBS News, Banks was destined for stardom as a standout high school player in 2002. He was set to begin playing for the USC Trojans, but his aspirations came to a screeching halt when a fellow student accused him of rape. Banks lost everything as he spent five years in prison, but he was ultimately exonerated when his accuser confessed that she lied on a hidden camera.

Based on where Banks was just a few short years ago, the photo that the NFL released of him on Twitter is incredible as he finally made it to the big time.

By the time Banks entered Thursday's game, it was already decided, as the Bengals eventually won 34-10. That didn't matter much to Banks, though; simply stepping on the field signaled that he had made it all the way back from the nightmare that ruined his promising career.

Not surprisingly, Banks could barely contain himself when he was finally given the opportunity to play.

"I was amped up the entire time, all the way until they said the game was over," Banks said after the game, per CBS News. "I'm still amped up, going around, shaking everyone's hand."

Banks' ultimate goal is to make the Falcons roster and play for them during the regular season, but playing in Thursday's preseason game was a major accomplishment in and of itself.

"It's a dream come true," Banks said. "I'm still fighting for a spot on the team, but I said I would make it to the NFL, and play a game, and I did that today."

Although Banks didn't make a huge impact on the stat sheet with just one solo tackle, that tackle had to be the sweetest one of his entire life. Now that Banks has finally validated his football career, his focus can shift toward making the Falcons roster and continuing to defy the odds.

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