Brian Banks: former top college prospect, falsely charged at 16 years of age of rape, falsely imprisoned for over 5 years, paroled but still denied because of his rape conviction, recently had the charges dropped because his accuser admitted she lied and there was no sex between them at all. Banks is attempting to put his life back together and make to the NFL at 26 years of age. What an inspirational story!

Pete Carroll has said:''This is a great illustration for us of why people deserve a second chance and because of what he's overcome and because of what lies ahead for him in his life, this is just one step but it is a step that he's been dreaming about for a long time,'' Carroll said last week. ''It's just such a great illustration about not giving up and about competing for what you want and not letting the circumstances or your surroundings dictate what's going to happen in your life.''

Furthermore, Banks had a private workout at the Seahawks' practice facility Thursday where he was put through a variety of drills and ran a 40-yard dash. Banks, a star linebacker in high school, measured 6-foot-2 and 239 pounds and is getting looked at as a linebacker option for the Seahawks.

Following the workout, Carroll said he wanted to bring Banks' back for the minicamp and see him on the field. Banks initially hesitated saying he needed to speak with his agent about his other options, causing Carroll to joke that he needed to recruit Banks yet again. Banks had given a verbal commitment to play football at USC for Carroll before the accusations were made and Banks ended up in jail.

While impressed with his raw athleticism during his private workout last week, Carroll freely acknowledged that Banks is not refined to the level of an NFL linebacker and whatever expectations are placed on Banks need to reflect his lack of football schooling during the last 10 years.

''I'm honored to have all of these people, all of these coaches from different teams give me this opportunity with not seeing me play in so long,'' Banks said last week

Click on these Utube videos about banks to get the whole story and also see his workout.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfnDfQsjbJQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GXhGfsdsBs

Would love to hear your comments and your inspirational stories about overcoming adversity in your life. What is important for all of us is what lies ahead in our lives and being willing to go through what we need to in order to go get it. 

Best to Everyone, 

T Thomas aka NYC