Falcons sign linebacker Brian Banks

The Falcons signed linebacker Brian Banks, 27, a former football star who was exonerated on rape charges last May, today.

“We are pleased to have Brian join our team,” said general manager Thomas Dimitroff. “We had a chance to work him out last year and have been monitoring his progress since then. He has worked extremely hard for this chance over the last year and he has shown us that he is prepared for this opportunity. We are happy that Brian will have a chance to live out his dream of playing in the NFL and we look forward to seeing him on the field.”

Banks, 6-foot-2, 250 pounds, spent the 2012 season with Las Vegas Locomotives of the United Football League (UFL). He played in two games and posted one tackle. He received tryouts with Kansas City, San Diego, and San Francisco, and attended minicamp with the Seattle Seahawks prior to signing with the Locomotives.

“I just want to thank God for the opportunity,” Banks said. “I want to thank God for life.”

Banks served more than five years in prison following a conviction a decade ago on rape and kidnapping charges. The woman later recanted her claim and offered to help Banks clear his name.

“I’ve had the opportunity of seeing both sides of the human spirit,” Banks said. “My journey has been crazy.”

He will tryout for the Falcons as an inside linebacker.

Banks was the 11th rated linebacker in the country coming out of high school in 2002 and had made a verbal commitment to Southern California.