Seahawks invite exonerated Brian Banks to mini-camp

Not only does Brian Banks have a new lease on life, but he has a flicker of NFL hope.

After spending five years in prison on charges of rape and kidnapping, and five more as a falsely accused registered sex offender, the recently exonerated Banks made the most of his workout for Seattle Seahawks Coach Pete Carroll.

Carroll invited him back to participate in Seahawks mini-camp next week.

“He deserved a chance,” Carroll told reporters. “This is a guy who deserved it.”

Banks, 26, who had been a standout linebacker at Long Beach Poly when he was accused of raping classmate Wanetta Gibson on campus during summer school. Facing a far longer sentence, Banks pleaded no contest to a lesser charge and received a six-year sentence.

Gibson would later admit to Banks and a private investigator that she lied about what happened, thereby setting in motion Banks’ exoneration in the courts.

Banks said that he had been offered a football scholarship to USC before he was accused of the crime.

After his workout Thursday, Banks wore a sweatshirt that read “XONR8” and answered questions of reporters.

“I feel more appreciative of the opportunity than I feel deserving,” he said.

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