Spreading Our Wings

The Atlanta Falcons are pleased to announce the winners of the 2009 High School Coach of the Week, Captain in the Community, Youth Team of the Week and Cheer Squad of the Week for the Week of September 28.

High School Coach of the Week:

Phillip Ironside of Hillgrove High School located in Powder Springs, GA has been selected as this week’s High School Coach of the Week.  This school which is only in its 4^th year of existence is off to a great start to the season.  Last season his team finished 8 – 4 and is currently ranked high by the GHSA.

Each week of the season, the winner will receive a plaque signed by Head Coach Mike Smith and a $1,000 grant from the NFL’s Youth Football Fund to his school’s athletic department.

Captain in the Community:

The Atlanta Falcons Captain in the Community Winner is Christian Conley Wide-receiver/Safety for North Paulding High School.

When asked, “What makes a good leader and why is giving back to the community important?”, Christian replied:

“To be a good leader I believe you have to learn to be a good follower. Though for some this may be a hard lesson to learn. My parents put me in some positions where I had to follow and learn to serve. I think if you can serve people and follow a leader then you can learn what it takes to be a good leader. Because a leader is ultimately a servant and is the one who is willing to take the heat for those he serves and make the tough choices that must be made. Giving back to the community is important because I believe the greatest of them all is the servant of them all. We must serve and help those in need around us because if we have the ability then it’s the right thing to do. You reap what you sow and if that is self-centeredness then you will get it back. But if it’s generosity and kindness it comes back and helps everyone.”

The Captain in the Community program recognizes outstanding high school football student-athletes around the State of Georgia that demonstrate strong leadership skills both on and off the field. Winners are selected by USA Football, the Official Youth Football Development Partner of the NFL. Additionally, each winner’s high school will receive a grant in the amount of $1,000 to support community initiatives courtesy of the Atlanta Falcons and the NFL’s Youth Football Fund.

Youth Team of the Week:

The Youth Team of the Week is the East Metro Titans team located in Conyers, GA.

This program recognizes outstanding youth football teams around the State of Georgia through mid-November. Each winning team’s organization will receive a grant in the amount of $500 courtesy of the Atlanta Falcons and the NFL’s Youth Football Fund.

Cheer Squad of the Week:

The Cheer Squad of the Week is the Mount Carmel Rams 7 & U located in Douglasville, GA.

This program recognizes outstanding youth cheer squads around the State of Georgia through mid-November. Each winning squad’s organization will receive a grant in the amount of $500 courtesy of the Atlanta Falcons and the NFL’s Youth Football Fund.

For more information on these programs, please click here.

kyla Youth Football Captain in the Community, Cheer Squad of the Week, Coach of the Week, Youth Team of the Week

The Atlanta Falcons Rookie Club, sponsored by United Healthcare of Georgia, spent Tuesday afternoon with kids at Eagle Ranch Children’s Home in Flowery Branch, GA. Eagle Ranch is a home for troubled youth that come from a variety of backgrounds and home situations. While there, the players went fishing with the kids and played basketball in the gym. The group of players and kids enjoyed the afternoon of fishing and hoops in spirited competition.  The players also spent time talking with the group from Eagle Ranch about the everyday challenges that we all face.  Everyone enjoyed a pizza party at the conclusion of the afternoon’s activities which was donated by Papa John’s Pizza.  Christopher Owens said, “I wanted these kids to understand that we all have challenges we have to face in our life.  I grew up out in California and it wasn’t always easy for me.  I know these kids encounter challenges that they have to face everyday.  I’m glad our entire rookie class got a chance to come out.  You can definitely tell the kids really enjoyed having us there.  It was great to come out and spend some time with them.”

For more information on the Atlanta Falcons Rookie Club, please click here.

kyla Appearance Christopher Owens, Eagle Ranch, Garrett Reynolds, John Parker Wilson, Jose Valdez, Lawrence Sidbury, Maurice Lucas, Rob Bruggeman, rookie club, Spencer Adkins, United Healthcare of Georgia, Vance Walker, William Moore

The Atlanta Falcons are pleased to announce the winners of the 2009 High School Coach of the Week, Captain in the Community, Youth Team of the Week and Cheer Squad of the Week for the Week of September 21.

High School Coach of the Week:

Leroy Ryals of Clarke Central High School has been selected as this week’s High School Coach of the Week. He is in his 4^th season as head coach and his team has opened the season in impressive fashion. The team’s record has improved in each of his three years as head coach; 6 – 5 in 2006, 7 – 3 – 1 in 2007, 9 – 2 in 2008 and a 3 – 0 start this season. Clarke Central has one best football records in Georgia high school football history.

Each week of the season, the winner will receive a plaque signed by Head Coach Mike Smith and a $1,000 grant from the NFL’s Youth Football Fund to his school’s athletic department.

Captain in the Community:

The Atlanta Falcons Captain in the Community Winner is Henry Anderson, Defensive End for Woodward Academy.

When asked, “What makes a good leader and why is giving back to the community important?”,  Henry replied:

“A leader is someone who recognized his role in the world and does everything he or she can in the community to make society a better place to live.”

The Captain in the Community program recognizes outstanding high school football student-athletes around the State of Georgia that demonstrate strong leadership skills both on and off the field. Winners are selected by USA Football, the Official Youth Football Development Partner of the NFL. Additionally, each winner’s high school will receive a grant in the amount of $1,000 to support community initiatives courtesy of the Atlanta Falcons and the NFL’s Youth Football Fund.

Youth Team of the Week:

The Youth Team of the Week is 5-6-year-old Fighting Irish Football Team, Middle Georgia Football and Cheer Association.

This program recognizes outstanding youth football teams around the State of Georgia through mid-November. Each winning team’s organization will receive a grant in the amount of $500 courtesy of the Atlanta Falcons and the NFL’s Youth Football Fund.

Cheer Squad of the Week:

The Cheer Squad of the Week is 12-year-old cheer squad, Brookwood Football Association North.

This program recognizes outstanding youth cheer squads around the State of Georgia through mid-November. Each winning squad’s organization will receive a grant in the amount of $500 courtesy of the Atlanta Falcons and the NFL’s Youth Football Fund.

For more information on these programs, please click here.

kyla Youth Football Captain in the Community, Cheer Squad of the Week, Coach of the Week, Youth Team of the Week

This past Tuesday, running backs Jerious Norwood and Jason Snelling spent a very special evening with local children and their families of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.  The players accompanied the group to an Atlanta Braves game where the group got a chance to meet Atlanta Braves third baseman Chipper Jones and sit-in Chipper Jones’ suite to watch the game against the New York Mets.  The children and families were all treated to food and beverages and had a chance to hang out with two of their favorite Falcons players.

The children who attended are all facing tough conditions.  A few of them are in a serious fight with leukemia and one has a rare bone disease.  It was extra special to them that the players spent some quality time with them.

“I think Jerious is so cool,” 13-year old patient Issac said.  “I got to hang out with him for awhile and I told him that I’m definitely going to be cheering him on the rest of the season.”

The patients all received Falcons paraphernalia to take home with them also.  They all received autographs from the players in addition to football cards, stickers, bookmarks and hats.

“These kids are an inspiration,” Norwood said.  “Hanging out with them tonight and getting an opportunity to spend some time with them, they are just normal kids and you would have no idea what challenges they are facing on a day-to-day basis.  I’m just glad we got an opportunity to come out and have a fun night together with them at a baseball game.”

kyla Appearance Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Jason Snelling, Jerious Norwood

On Tuesday, September 15 Atlanta Falcons players and cheerleaders kicked off the Falcons First Down for Fitness program with a visit to Hambrick Elementary School in Dekalb County.  Michael Jenkins, Verron Haynes, Jamaal Anderson, Trey Lewis and Tony Gilbert along with five cheerleaders participated in the visit.  Michael Jenkins, the spokesman for the program, discussed the importance of eating healthy and frequent exercise. 

The fifth grade class enjoyed a mini field day which included a relay race, rescue relay, tug-of-war, dizzy izzy race and sack race.  The class of approximately 100 students was separated into four teams with players serving as head coach.  The teams coached by Michael Jenkins and Tony Gilbert came in a tie for first place and won Falcons First Down for Fitness tshirts.  Furthermore, the Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders taught dance routines to interested students. 

For more information on the First Down for Fitness Program, please click here.

kyla Appearance Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders, First Down For Fitness, Jamaal Anderson, Michael Jenkins, Tony Gilbert, Trey Lewis, Verron Haynes

The Atlanta Falcons are pleased to announce the winners of the 2009 High School Coach of the Week, Captain in the Community, Youth Team of the Week and Cheer Squad of the Week for the Week of September 14.

High School Coach of the Week:

Mike Carson of Avondale High School has been selected as this week’s High School Coach of the Week.  He is in his second year and the team is 2-0 after going 1-9 last season. The program has gone 8-42 over the last five seasons (3-7 in ‘07, 2-8 in ‘06, 2-8 in ‘05 and 0-10 in ‘04). Carson was formerly a member of the staff at DeKalb powerhouse Martin Luther King Jr. High School, which has made the playoffs for seven straight seasons. In his last season as an assistant there, the Lions were 12-1 and went to the Class AAAAA quarterfinals.

Each week of the season, the winner will receive a plaque signed by Head Coach Mike Smith and a $1,000 grant from the NFL’s Youth Football Fund to his school’s athletic department. The Coach will be featured on the Falcons game-day radio show on 92.9 Davefm.

Captain in the Community:

The Atlanta Falcons Captain in the Community Winner is Connor Shaw, Quarterback for Flowery Branch High School.

When asked, “What makes a good leader and why is giving back to the community important?”, Connor replied:

“Character, having a vision and seeing it through, loyalty and trustworthiness defines a true leader, being able to handle adversities and still finding a way to win on and off the field. Digging deep when times are hard, bringing your team together no matter the challenges. It is so important to give back to the community because you should never forget when you come from. Sports give the community a chance to rally together and relieve the pressure of every day life. It is the fans that give the athlete a chance to show his character and become something bigger.”

The Captain in the Community program recognizes outstanding high school football student-athletes around the State of Georgia that demonstrate strong leadership skills both on and off the field.  Winners are selected by USA Football, the Official Youth Football Development Partner of the NFL.  Additionally, each winner’s high school will receive a grant in the amount of $1000 to support community initiatives courtesy of the Atlanta Falcons and the NFL’s Youth Football Fund.

Youth Team of the Week:

The Youth Team of the Week is the Jackson Youth Association Falcons 14 & U team located in East Point, GA.

This program recognizes outstanding youth football teams around the State of Georgia through mid-November.  Each winning team’s organization will receive a grant in the amount of $500 courtesy of the Atlanta Falcons and the NFL’s Youth Football Fund.

Cheer Squad of the Week:

The Cheer Squad of the Week is the Martin Luther King Freedom Riders Cheerleaders who are a part of the City of Atlanta Department of Parks & Recreation.

This program recognizes outstanding youth cheer squads around the State of Georgia through mid-November.  Each winning squad’s organization will receive a grant in the amount of $500 courtesy of the Atlanta Falcons and the NFL’s Youth Football Fun

For more information on these programs, please click here.

kyla Youth Football Captain in the Community, Cheer Squad of the Week, Coach of the Week, Youth Team of the Week

The Atlanta Falcons kicked off the first NFL Community Tuesday’s of the 2009 season in regular fashion. Regarded as one of the most active teams in the community in the National Football League, the Falcons demonstrated the team’s commitment to serving communities in metro Atlanta and throughout Georgia.

On September 8 Justin Peelle made a surprise visit to Five Forks Middle School to donate 40 tickets to the Falcons home opener on September 13 as part of the Falcons Extra Yard Partnership Program. “This program is really exciting for me, “Peelle said.  “It gives me an opportunity to reward students for being role models in the classroom.  Not every family has an opportunity to attend a Falcons game and I’m glad I could provide this opportunity.  When I was a child, some of my best memories with my Dad are when we went to sporting events together.  Those are father-son memories that I will never forget.”

kyla Appearance Justin Peelle

Last week, the Atlanta Falcons Community Relations department traveled to Jonesboro, GA to conduct an Atlanta Falcons Gatorade Junior Training Camp. The camp was open to all youth football teams and players that are a part of Clayton County Parks and Recreation Department. Several youth football players had a chance to participate in drills that focus on teaching the basic skills of the game.

To learn more about the Atlanta Falcons Gatorade Junior Training Camp program, click here.

kyla Youth Football Gatorade Junior Training Camp, Youth Football