Finally free, Banks calls preseason debut with Falcons 'better than any roller-coaster ride'

ATLANTA – Brian Banks says his preseason debut with the Atlanta Falcons was "better than any roller-coaster ride you can ever get on."

The 28-year-old Banks could cherish that high even more than a normal rookie because his life has hit lows few can imagine.

Banks spent five years in prison and five years on probation following his conviction of rape and kidnapping charges a decade ago. He is free to finally pursue his career as a NFL linebacker because the woman who made the charge when Banks was a 16-year-old high school junior recanted her accusation.

The conviction was overturned by a California court on May 12, 2012.

Banks, who signed with the Falcons in March, had two tackles in the Falcons' 34-10 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday night.