Brian Banks starts living NFL dream at Seahawks minicamp

BY MyNorthwest.com  on June 13, 2012 @ 4:12 pm (Updated: 12:33 pm - 6/15/12 )

AP: 9d21fb54-1b62-487e-8662-ad8bb8bc188b
Brian Banks works out with the Seattle Seahawks, Wednesday, June 13, 2012, during an NFL football minicamp practice in Renton, Wash. Banks, a former prep star, got his tryout just weeks after being exonerated in a California rape case in which he was falsely accused. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) | Zoom
Brian Banks doesn't want anybody to be easy on him.

When he got on the shuttle to the Seattle Seahawks' practice facility, he wasn't sure what to expect from his two-day minicamp tryout.

He walked in to find a locker spot just for him, with a white No. 43 practice jersey hanging on a hook and a new Seahawks helmet waiting to be pulled on.

"I just wanted to take a picture of it just for myself," said Banks. "It was amazing to see my name on the back of it."

From meetings in the morning to participating in every drill in the afternoon, Banks finally began living out his NFL dream on Wednesday. It was even more overwhelming than Banks expected.

The first day was amazing, he said. "I'm just honored to be out here and give it my all. It felt good."

He told reporters after practice that he was taking it step by step. Still, he felt like he fit in among the coaches and the players, but that doesn't mean he doesn't have some serious work to do.

"The toughest thing was the language," Banks said. He needs to get down the defense and the calls, and his mind around the techniques of being out on the field.

Banks, a former prep star, got his tryout just weeks after being exonerated in a California rape case in which he was falsely accused.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

MyNorthwest.com, Staff report
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Comments (14)


  • Add A Comment

  • Forrest wrote...
    Good luck Brian!
    June 13, 2012 7:13 pm
    .
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • artimus wrote...
    I hope it works out for Brian Banks here
    June 13, 2012 7:43 pm
    or somewhere else.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • deltta wrote...
    Mr Banks
    June 13, 2012 8:25 pm
    Thanks.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Steve Dallas wrote...
    I know some won't agree
    June 14, 2012 7:41 am
    But I'd love to see Paul Allen step in and just give the 45th spot to him, if he's got the raw potential still there? Good coaching could bring out what he missed from being in College football. Even if he just plays special teams, I'm ok with that!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • 0623 wrote...
    @caravanb
    June 14, 2012 8:54 am
    It never ceases to amaze how many there are out there who suffer from chronic hostility. The one thing I can say on behalf of this clown is that the media are partly to blame. They keep referring to Banks's having been "falsely convicted of a crime", rather than "convicted of a crime which was never committed". There is a difference. Note phrase "media are". There was a big discussion about "is"/"are" on KIRO-FM this morning. Media is a plural noun. The singular is "medium"
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Truth Hurts wrote...
    Even if he only makes the practice squad....
    June 14, 2012 9:22 am
    1. I'll buy his jersey.

    2. He may learn enough after a year to make the team next year.

    3. He may come into play if some injuries plague the team.

    4. Coach Carrol, thank you, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for giving this young man a chance.

    5. Jealous loser, parent's basement dwelling haters exist (and somehow know how to use a computer), just wait for it. Some people are not smart enough to understand this whole thing.

    6. It's ok, they're just begging for attention. If they pop up, ignore them.

    7. Congrats Brian, Good Luck!

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Daddy Dennis wrote...
    Amen.
    June 14, 2012 5:08 pm
    You look in this man's eyes and you see someone that has watched walls crumble both outside and inside. This man is about to show us why have a sports franchise is such an asset to our community. Watching this guy get his first sack at a roaring Clink gives me goosebumps just thinking about it.

    Life is tough and some of the best stories don't just don't end the way we hope. But the best stories always keep us thinking of the possibilities.

    I look at this guy and his eyes tell me he is going to use the game for something bigger, for sure.

    More stories about Banks = more views from me. I loved the "I will buy a jersey" comment! Oh yeah!

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Zoeller wrote...
    @caravanb You are an Idiot!
    June 14, 2012 9:24 am
    Banks was coached by his worthless public defender to plead guilty rather than face a jury even though he was innocent.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Cleaver wrote...
    Brian Banks
    June 14, 2012 11:47 am
    Good Luck I hope you make it here! caravab is a real ******s. cleaver
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Lips01313 wrote...
    Video?
    June 14, 2012 12:28 pm
    First...WOW on some of the posts. I'm not an overly large black man, but I have to believe he weighed his options at the age of 17 the best he could. Then it took a private investigator's help to get the lady to admit that she lied, and she didn't know she was on tape, so how can you say that this man raped her? On a separate note, I was kind of hoping that ESPN would have some tape of first practice but I can't find anything. Has anyone seen any videos or youtube of Banks at practice? If so, please post, would love to see it. Good luck Brian
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }