Vanderbilt rape suspect on practice field with Lane football team
[gtxvideo vid=”Pk93vHWZ” playlist=”” pid=”OTSe9U1y” thumb=”http://player.gtxcel.com/thumbs/Pk93vHWZ.jpg” vtitle=”Brandon Banks Playing 10pm PKG”]
JACKSON, Tenn. — Lane College told WBBJ 7 Eyewitness Sports on Tuesday Vanderbilt rape suspect Brandon Banks “is not” on the football team. “Is he [Brandon Banks] a player? He [Derrick Burroughs] said no. Is he [Banks] a football player? He [Burroughs] said no,” Chief of Staff Darlette Carver Samuels told WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News Tuesday.
Wednesday, Lane College president’s chief of staff was contradicted by athletic director and head football coach Derrick Burroughs. He told WBBJ 7 Eyewitness Sports during Wednesday afternoon’s practice that he “absolutely” plans to play Banks this season. “When he transferred, he was eligible to play. We do plan to play him,” Burroughs said. “We’re going to try to get him in shape. Obviously, because we think he’s a division-one kid.” The game plan is to take it slow with the non-scholarship player. “Pretty much know his physical capabilities,” Burroughs said. “We just got to get him to learn our system and what we call things.” Some in Jackson think Lane should wait for the pending case to end before playing him. “I think he should not be allowed to play until the case is solved,” Hector Cortes said. Other West Tennesseans are leaving it to the courts. ‘You’re innocent until proven guilty,” Tracie Flynn said. Banks is awaiting trial on five counts of aggravated rape and two counts of aggravated sexual battery. Burroughs said expect to see Banks on the field in the season opener. “He’s a smart kid, made good grades in school,” Burroughs said about his new defensive back. “Should be a quick learner.” Coach Burroughs added Banks “will probably” suit up in pads on Thursday at practice. Banks’ case is pending with no trial date currently set.
