Banks Asks for Return to Chargers - NFL: The troubled All-Pro linebacker, having recently completed a 90-day drug rehabilitation program, says he wants to resume his football career in San Diego.

Looking fit and striking a penitent tone, linebacker Chip Banks appeared at his first news conference since twice pleading guilty this year to drug-related charges and asked that the Chargers take him back.

“My problems were mine, and I created them,” Banks said. “I took the necessary arrangements to take care of all my legal problems and everything else necessary for my personal recovery. . . . I would love to be a Charger again. I would love the opportunity to do that right now.”

Banks said he could be ready to play football in a week and that he would be willing to join the team “under any terms this organization sees fit for me to do.”

Banks, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, has not played since 1987. He sat out the 1988 season after failing to reach a contract agreement. At about the same time, his troubles with the law accelerated in his off-season residence of Atlanta.

Banks has twice pleaded guilty this year to cocaine and marijuana possession charges in Fulton County (Ga.) Superior Court. He has been sentenced to five years probation in each case and, at his most recent court appearance last week, was ordered to donate a portion of his earnings over the next five years to drug treatment programs in Atlanta and San Diego.

Dressed casually in black jeans and a white pullover V-neck sweater, Banks gave a brief opening statement and then spent most of the hour-long news conference answering questions at the Doubletree Hotel in Mission Valley.

He was accompanied by David Katz, a therapist at Rancho L’Abri, a private drug treatment center in Dulzura. Katz said Banks recently completed a 90-day inpatient program at the center and was now under center care at a recovery home in San Diego County.

Banks’ lawyer, Forrest Johnson of Atlanta, monitored the news conference and answered questions through a speaker phone.

Banks said he has met recently with Charger Coach Dan Henning and Steve Ortmayer, the team’s director of football operations, and that both indicated they would be interested in his rejoining the Chargers.

Banks said his return hinged on the approval of owner Alex Spanos, who has said previously that Banks would not play for the Chargers again. The National Football League cleared Banks to return last week.

“(Spanos) has the right to feel that way considering the amount of embarrassment and total letdown I put on him,” Banks said. “I can understand that viewpoint. I just hope he sees some compassion and forgiveness to allow me to be part of the team.”

Ortmayer declined to comment when informed of Banks’ statements. Spanos could not be reached.

Banks said he has followed the Chargers but has not seen them play because watching television is not allowed at the treatment center. “But I have turned on the radio a few times,” said Banks, who added that he filled some of his idle time working out.

He expressed hope that if the Chargers do not want him to play for them, they would trade him before Tuesday’s NFL trading deadline. For the Chargers to do that, they would have to sign him first, but both Banks and Johnson said no contract talks are planned.

“Chip would love to play for the San Diego Chargers, but he needs to work like everybody else,” Johnson said. “We can’t make them accept Chip back. But Chip has done everything to show Mr. Spanos (he wants to return).”

Banks said he first used drugs when he was a member of the USC football team. Banks, 30, was an All-American linebacker with the Trojans as a senior in 1981.

Banks said he was not a heavy drug user, that he did not use drugs during the NFL season and that he had never tested positive for drugs as a player. Banks said he has not used drugs since last April, but he hesitated to quantify the seriousness of his drug problem.

“I don’t know where I fit in that spectrum,” Banks said. “Totally abstaining from it is the main thing, and that is what I am doing now.”

Katz, the therapist, said he has treated many patients with much more serious problems than Banks but that Banks had an adverse reaction to drug use.

“There is a type of person who uses recreational drugs that it doesn’t cause problems for,” Katz said. “Then there is the other type that it changes their behavior and trouble follows them. That is basically what I see here.”