Falcons sign Brian Banks

Brian Banks will get a shot in the NFL.

The 27-year-old linebacker, who verbally committed to USC while in high school before being sent to prison for more than five years for a rape he did not commit, has signed with the Atlanta Falcons. Jay Glazer broke the news that the former Long Beach, Calif., prep star will get a shot.

Banks, who had a tryout with the Seattle Seahawks last year, played with the Las Vegas Locomotives in the UFL last fall before that league folded.

Banks, who had been convicted of rape and kidnapping, was exonerated after his female accuser admitted that she made the story up.

Obviously, Banks is a longshot to make the NFL but it is an inspiring story. His appearance on “60 Minutes” is worth watching.

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Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune

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