Falcons Will Reportedly Release LB Brian Banks

Aug 8, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons linebacker Brian Banks (53) makes a play against the Cincinnati Bengals during the second half at the Georgia Dome. The Bengals defeated the Falcons 34-10. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

If this is the end for Brian Banks, he had a wild and inspirational journey.

Jay Glazer of Fox Sports is reporting that the Falcons will release Brian Banks, and he did so via Twitter here:

Rightfully, Glazer sends along encouragement for Banks in the aftermath of his apparent release, and provides some context for what was an incredible story. If you are unfamiliar with the story, Banks was wrongfully convicted of rape 10 years ago, but subsequently released from prison and ended up on the Falcons training camp roster.

His battle for a roster spot (and the fact that he was playing football at all) captivated both the city of Atlanta and the nation’s football fans, and Banks actually performed quite well with all things considered. It was fairly known that Banks was unlikely to make the final roster, but the way he carried himself throughout the process was beyond encouraging.

In ending, here is a quote that Banks delivered via the Falcons website:

"“For me, it wasn’t a difficult day or a nervous moment. I feel like if you put your all into something and you work and try as hard as you can, it’s all you really can do. After that, whatever’s supposed to happen will happen. That’s just how I look at things. If I’m supposed to be here and I do all that I can to be here, I’ll be here. The day of first cuts, I treated it as a normal day. If my phone rang, then I knew it was time to hear the words, but it didn’t and I’m still here and I’m still working as hard as I can.”"

That type of humility and understanding shows how Brian Banks carried himself throughout the process, and I wish him luck in his next endeavor, whether it is football-related or otherwise.