Gary Banks of the San Diego Chargers poses in front of the scoreboard from his high school in Gilbertown, Ala. where he was a member of the 1999 and 2000 Class 2A state champion teams at Southern Choctaw. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)

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With no quarterback to throw him passes, Gary Banks works out alone in the hot humid Alabama sun. Banks credits his strong work ethic to his high school football coach, who pushed him to be strong and to work hard. "Right now it is all on yourself to be disciplined enough to come out here and push yourself even when nobody is looking," Banks said. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)

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Even if it means working out alone in a dimly lit high school weight room Gary Banks is committed to making the Chargers' 53-man roster. "You just have to come out here and do it. You can't make excuses," Banks said. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)

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Being from the small town of Melvin, Ala., where both his parents grew up, Gary Banks has many family members still in the area. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)

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Gary Banks shows a newspaper clipping from the 1999 championship run by Southern Choctow high school football team. Banks scored three touchdowns in the championship game. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)

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Knowing that he will be away during training camp, Gary Banks takes advantage of his time in Melvin, Ala. to spend quality time with his family. Here he plays baseball with his son Braylon and wife Chandra. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)

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In his down time Gary Banks has taken up playing the guitar. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)

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