If Brian Banks’ story is the feel-good kind, it’s only because he made it that way.
There was nothing good about Banks spending five years in prison and five more on probation after he was falsely accused of rape. There’s nothing positive about the prison term costing him his athletic prime after he was a promising football prospect in Southern California.
What turned a sour story sweet was the way Banks focused on what he has rather than what he lost. He talked about being grateful for his freedom and eventual exoneration rather than embittered by the injustice.
Banks decided to try to play football again, and the Falcons gave him a chance with a training-camp invitation in the spring.
But Banks’ comeback attempt with the Falcons ended when he was released Friday.
The Falcons also released guard Theo Goins, defensive tackle Neal Huynh, cornerback Terrence Johnson, safety Charles Mitchell, defensive tackle Micanor Regis, offensive tackle Alec Savoie, linebacker Pat Schiller, kicker Jeremy Shelley, cornerback Peyton Thompson and running back Ronnie Wingo.
They also placed quarterback Sean Renfree, who was injured against Jacksonville on Thursday night, and tight end Andrew Szczerba on injured reserve.
The team is down to 62 players and has until 6 p.m. Saturday to reach their roster limit of 53.
Banks was buried on the depth chart at linebacker and never climbed out.
“No anxiety whatsoever,” Banks said after the Falcons’ 20-16 loss to Jacksonville. “I tried my hardest, I worked my hardest when I came out on the field in the time I had to do what I do.”
Banks could be invited to join the team’s eight-man practice squad, though such slots usually are reserved for younger developmental players. Banks doesn’t fit that mold.
He’s 28 years old and hadn’t played football since high school until joining a minor league team last fall. Younger players with stronger resumes often don’t make it in the NFL, so Banks always was a long shot.
Banks’ fate with the Falcons likely was sealed before the game Thursday, but there were some emotional moments for him before kickoff, when his mother joined him on the field.
Banks said she never had been to an NFL game.
“She was a little choked up,” he said. “To have her here and get her in town and get her on the field and take pictures and show her what I’ve been up to these last few months is more than I can ask for.”
In April, when Banks signed with the Falcons, he said he would consider it a success if he simply made the final roster. The emergence of college free agents Paul Worrilow and Joplu Bartu, both younger and more experienced than Banks, made Banks’ odds even longer.
His opportunities to play were limited, but Banks made an impression on his teammates and fans.
“He has been a great teammate to the guys in the locker room,” Smith said.
If Banks’ football career ends this weekend, it’s likely his story will continue to find an audience. A documentary, book and movie about him are in the works.
Banks said his time with the Falcons has been “highs for the most part” without many lows.
The only surprise in the first round of cuts was Mitchell, who was a sixth-round draft pick in 2012 and played in 12 games on special teams last season.
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