The Inspiration of Capitalizing on a Second Chance
From Jerry Sandusky, to the bounty in New Orleans, this NFL offseason has been filled with bad press that leaves you shaking your head. So to see a comeback story in the making in Brian Banks is a very uplifting thing to witness. Banks in 2002 was on top of the world, being heavily recruited as a 16 year old by programs such as USC and coach Pete Carroll. However; his world came crashing down around him before his eyes when he was charged with the rape and kidnapping of a fellow classmate, and sentenced to five years in prison after being urged to plea by lawyers. With everyone believing that Banks was a marked man, and had blood on his hands, only he knew that he was innocent.
Most men who had been put in this nightmare situation would easily slip into denial and given up on everything they had worked for. But not Banks. Although he quickly realized that his dream of seeing his name on the back of an NFL jersey had taken a serious hit, his motivation to maintain his innocence and never give up kept him driving to be better and believe that he would get an opportunity.
Today, Brian Banks is out of his cramped cell as a free man and trying out for teams such as the Chief's, Raiders, 49ers, and the man who believed in him all along in Pete Carroll and the Seattle Seahawks. Upon his release Justin Brooks of the California Innocence Project stated "this is the most determined individual I have ever met. If you are looking for someone who has the athletic ability and the heart, give him a chance". The fact remains however that Banks hasn't taken a snap on the gridiron since he was in high school. If this were a Disney movie, Banks would swap the jumpsuit for a jersey and excel immediately. This is not the case though, as Banks is going to experience his fair share of struggles and be a long shot to find an NFL roster.
Whether Banks has a good shot at landing a roster spot in the NFL or not, if there is one person who has the belief he is going get a shot, its is Brian Banks himself. If you think the NFL scouts saying he isn't going to make it past the first round of cuts is going to affect his outlook your are dead wrong. It wasn't too long when lawyers were telling Banks that he may never get out and never get a chance to be a member of society again, let alone a football player.
Regardless if Banks makes it or not, what he represents is bigger than any sack or forced fumble he could ever make. He represents hope to so many people who feel as though they will never amount to anything due to their personal struggles. Whether your a woman who is struggling to feed her kids, or a man having trouble getting a job due to a mistake previously in his life, Banks should inspire you and everyone else to never give up and that their is always hope regardless of the situation.
So as the scouts, reporters, and even Banks himself anxiously await to see if he will win his comeback bid, realize that Bank's has already won. He has sent a message that extends way beyond sports. However, if by some chance he does earn himself a roster spot, take a moment to pause and realize what an accomplishment that would be. I personally will be rooting for you Banks.
Connect with the athletic, sports and fitness activities that keep you active on Tivity
Its Never Too Late,
Aaron Granoff
Tivity
Most men who had been put in this nightmare situation would easily slip into denial and given up on everything they had worked for. But not Banks. Although he quickly realized that his dream of seeing his name on the back of an NFL jersey had taken a serious hit, his motivation to maintain his innocence and never give up kept him driving to be better and believe that he would get an opportunity.
Today, Brian Banks is out of his cramped cell as a free man and trying out for teams such as the Chief's, Raiders, 49ers, and the man who believed in him all along in Pete Carroll and the Seattle Seahawks. Upon his release Justin Brooks of the California Innocence Project stated "this is the most determined individual I have ever met. If you are looking for someone who has the athletic ability and the heart, give him a chance". The fact remains however that Banks hasn't taken a snap on the gridiron since he was in high school. If this were a Disney movie, Banks would swap the jumpsuit for a jersey and excel immediately. This is not the case though, as Banks is going to experience his fair share of struggles and be a long shot to find an NFL roster.
Whether Banks has a good shot at landing a roster spot in the NFL or not, if there is one person who has the belief he is going get a shot, its is Brian Banks himself. If you think the NFL scouts saying he isn't going to make it past the first round of cuts is going to affect his outlook your are dead wrong. It wasn't too long when lawyers were telling Banks that he may never get out and never get a chance to be a member of society again, let alone a football player.
Regardless if Banks makes it or not, what he represents is bigger than any sack or forced fumble he could ever make. He represents hope to so many people who feel as though they will never amount to anything due to their personal struggles. Whether your a woman who is struggling to feed her kids, or a man having trouble getting a job due to a mistake previously in his life, Banks should inspire you and everyone else to never give up and that their is always hope regardless of the situation.
So as the scouts, reporters, and even Banks himself anxiously await to see if he will win his comeback bid, realize that Bank's has already won. He has sent a message that extends way beyond sports. However, if by some chance he does earn himself a roster spot, take a moment to pause and realize what an accomplishment that would be. I personally will be rooting for you Banks.
Connect with the athletic, sports and fitness activities that keep you active on Tivity
Its Never Too Late,
Aaron Granoff
Tivity
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