Brian Banks was an high school All-America football player who had committed to USC's prestigious program in 2002, but his life was turned upside down when a classmate falsely accused him of rape. He maintained his innocence, but a hasty plea bargain resulted in a five-year-plus prison sentence.
With the help of the California Innocence Project, his conviction was overturned in 2012. He returned to the gridiron after a 10-year hiatus, playing in the UFL and going through six NFL tryouts before finally making the Atlanta Falcons' 75-man roster in April 2013.
Although he only played in four preseason games, Banks fulfilled his lifelong dream and is now a motivational speaker and an activist and spokesman for the California Innocence Project.
