Brian Banks

Brian Banks is known for his journey through the criminal justice system and his advocacy for wrongful conviction reform. At age 16, Banks was a nationally recruited All-American football player, ranked 11th in the nation as a linebacker, and had verbally accepted an offer to play at the University of Southern California with a full scholarship. His trajectory changed when he was falsely accused of kidnapping and rape, leading to a conviction and more than five years in prison. Despite maintaining his innocence, Banks accepted a plea bargain that included six years in prison, five years of probation, and registration as a sex offender, facing a possible 41 years to life sentence.

Banks’s exoneration began after his release from prison, when his accuser contacted him and admitted to fabricating the allegations. The California Innocence Project took on his case, compiling evidence that led the district attorney to request the conviction be overturned. The court reversed the conviction, releasing Banks from parole and the sex offender registry. He later received compensation from the state of California.

After his exoneration, Banks pursued his NFL aspirations, receiving tryouts with teams including the Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers, and San Francisco 49ers. He attended minicamp with the Seattle Seahawks and signed with the Atlanta Falcons, participating in offseason workouts and making his NFL debut in a preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Banks later joined the NFL Department of Operations, where he contributed to league initiatives and spoke at the NFL Draft Rookie Symposium.

Banks has built a career as an author, advocate, and public speaker, focusing on criminal justice reform, resilience, and leadership. He has appeared on platforms such as 60 Minutes, ESPN, CNN, and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and is the author of "What Set Me Free" and "Resilient Echoes." Banks co-hosted "Final Appeal" on Oxygen, a television series examining wrongful convictions. His story was adapted into the movie "Brian Banks," which premiered at the LA Film Festival. Banks serves on the advisory boards of the California Innocence Project and the National Registry of Exonerations, and delivers keynote presentations to organizations and institutions worldwide. His work emphasizes the power of choice, personal growth, and the ongoing fight for justice reform.