At 16, Brian Banks was one of the most highly-regarded high school American Football prospects in the USA. On his 18th birthday, he was transported to a maximum-security prison for a crime he did not commit. Accused of raping a girl in a stairwell of their school, Banks was convinced by a lawyer to plead guilty to the crime rather than fight the case as a guilty verdict, according to the lawyer, would see him go to jail for decades rather than years. Banks took this advice despite there being no DNA evidence linking Banks to he crime. Banks spent 5 years in prison and further 5 under house arrest.
Following his exoneration last year, Banks had several unsuccessful trials with NFL teams but kept pursuing his dream of playing in the NFL. Last week Banks signed a contract with the Atlanta Falcons. If this story doesn't get you choked up, nothing will. Now excuse me while I go and compose myself in the bathroom.
via SI.com
