Spreading Our Wings

This past week, Atlanta Falcons players Curtis Lofton and Christopher Owens visited patients at Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital in Atlanta, GA. Lofton and Owens were joined by Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders. Each child received an Atlanta Falcons teddy bear and were able to take pictures with the players and cheerleaders. The patients and their families were very appreciative of everyone taking the time to come by and visit. For more information on Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital, please click here.

kyla Appearance Christopher Owens, Curtis Lofton

This past week, the Atlanta Falcons along with the Atlanta Braves, Atlanta Hawks and Atlanta Thrashers players, executives and staff attended a community day at the Joseph B. Whitehead Boys & Girls Club in Atlanta. The group was joined by Home Depot executives and employees. Those participating took part in large re-painting of the facility. Several Falcons players were in attendance including John Abraham, Jonathan Babineaux, Chauncey Davis, Harvey Dahl, Justin Blalock, Kroy Biermann and others.

kyla Appearance Chauncey Davis, Harvey Dahl, John Abraham, Jonathan Babineaux, Justin Blalock, Kroy Biermann

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 October 26.

High School Coach of the Week:

Jamie Aull of Mount Zion High School in Jonesboro, GA is in his second year at Mount Zion High School.  Coach Jamie Aull begins his first full season as the head football coach of the Mount Zion Bulldogs.  He replaces former Bulldog head coach Jarrett Laws, who served as the leader of Mount Zion Bulldogs from 2007 until 2008 before leaving MZHS to start the athletics program at Charles Drew High School in Riverdale.  Coach Aull previously served as the Offensive Coordinator and Offensive Line Coach for the Bulldogs during Coach Laws’ tenure.  Under Coach Aull’s tutelage, the Bulldogs offense continued their tradition of scoring points with a strong rushing attack, producing several college prospects.  Coach Aull places a high emphasis on character excellence in the classroom and community, as well as on the gridiron.    

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 Desdan Hester a linebacker at McNair High School in Atlanta, GA.

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

“A good leader always sets a good example for his peers and shows self-discipline in all that he does. A leader also motivates and encourages his peers to achieve their goals and dreams. Encouraging others is a trait that all leaders have or should obtain to make a difference in their community.”

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 Mount Carmel Rams 7U located in Douglasville, 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 6^th grade cheerleaders of Mountain Park Panthers, part of the Parkview Athletic Association located in Lilburn, 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

On Thursday October 15, the Atlanta Falcons Women’s Association hosted a Breast Cancer Awareness Fundraiser at Tory Burch located in Phipps Plaza.  Fifteen percent of all purchases will be donated to Breast Friends, Inc. in Atlanta, GA.

Breast Friends is an Atlanta-based breast cancer support network that provides individual emotional support, practical assistance, and information and resources for breast cancer patients, their families and friends. Their program is staffed by breast cancer survivors, private citizens, and professionals in the community who have a special interest in breast cancer.

Additionally, Falcons Football Academy will be held October 27 at the Georgia Dome. This workshop designed to teach novice fans the “X’s and O’s” of NFL football through demonstration.  The Falcons Football Academy is led by a cast of football aficionados, including current and former Falcons players.  Participants will enjoy an in depth “chalk talks” from the players on offense and defense.  All proceeds for the event will benefit the Doris Shaheen Breast Health Center.

kyla Uncategorized Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Gwinnett Students discovered recently that environmental action and football can be a perfect match. Ovie Mughelli and Eco-Athlete addressed the Eco-Force environmental club at Brookwood Elementary School in Snellville, Georgia.  This was the kick off environmental partnership with Greening Youth Foundation’s Green Speakers Series.  Additionally the students “deputized” Mughelli, presenting him with an official Greening Youth Detective badge.

Mughelli, whose Ovie Mughelli Foundation has made environmental activism a centerpiece of its work, will invite other Falcons players to address Greening Youth students throughout the 2009-2010 school-year.

kyla Uncategorized Ovie Mughelli

Go…Splash…Win!  The Georgia Aquarium kicked off the Oct. 18 Atlanta Falcons home game with an underwater pep rally to pump up Falcons fans and Aquarium guests.  The world’s largest aquarium hosted the pep rally in The Home Depot’s Ocean Voyager theater, against the largest aquatic viewing window in the Northern Hemisphere.

Atlanta Falcons cheerleaders performed in the Ocean Voyager theater while underwater divers (suited in football jerseys, helmets and SCUBA gear) took center window, among whale sharks, manta rays, giant grouper and thousands of other sharks, rays and fish. Guests throughout the theater got into the spirit with free Falcons-themed face paintings, photos with cheerleaders and mascots and black and red pom-poms, turning the crowd into a sea of red and black for the main event.

Aquarium guests sporting Falcons spirited gear received a special $20 general admission rate. For more details please visit http://www.georgiaaquarium.org/falconsfans or call 404-581-4000.

kyla Cheerleaders, Miscellaneous

On Tuesday, October 20 the Falcons First Down for Fitness program paid a visit to Grove Park Elementary School in downtown Atlanta.  Falcons players DT Trey Lewis, TE Keith Zinger and CB Chris Houston along with Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders Joie and Candice participated in fitness activities with the third and fourth grade classes.  Chris Houston and Trey Lewis led the third grade ”Super Falcons” to victory while competing against other third grade classes in a relay race, scooter relay, shoes off relay and sack race. 

Chris Houston enjoys the scooter relay

Prior to beginning their activities, the players and cheerleaders demonstrated to the class proper stretching techiniques that they use before practice.

Chris Houston stretches with students at Grove Park Elementary School

Falcons First Down for Fitness is a two-month program (September 1 through October 30, 2009) designed to challenge third through seventh grade students throughout the State of Georgia to participate in fitness activities, eat healthy and lead a healthy lifestyle.  The program incorporates components of the NFL’s Play 60 program, the American Heart Association and the Southeast United Dairy Industry Association’s (SUDIA) Fuel Up to Play nutrition program.  For more information visit www.atlantafalcons.com/firstdownforfitness.

kyla Appearance Chris Houston, Falcons First Down for Fitness, Keith Zinger, Trey Lewis

The Atlanta Falcons Rookie Club sponsored by United Healthcare of Georgia visited the Young Chefs Academy located in Lawrenceville this past week.  The players spent the afternoon cooking a healthy meal with children from North Hall Middle located in Lawrenceville.  The players and students also learned the importance of proper nutrition and being physically active.

 Please check out the video below:

kyla Appearance rookie club

The Atlanta Falcons are pleased to announce the criteria for the 2009 Community Quarterback Award. This award honors volunteers in Georgia (ages 13 and over) who exemplify leadership and dedication to bettering their communities. We know that many organizations rely on quality volunteers to create and facilitate programs that benefit many lives throughout the State of Georgia and this award is designed to recognize and reward these individuals.

Nomination forms must be submitted with all required information, a copy of 501(c)3 documentation of the organization being served and must be postmarked by Friday, October 30.  Please mail your form to: Atlanta Falcons ATTN: Community Quarterback Award, 4400 Falcon Parkway Flowery Branch, GA 30542. Individuals may nominate themselves or others for the 2009 Community Quarterback Award. One nomination form per person. There will be four winners selected this year and each will receive tickets to the Sunday, December 6 game against the Philadelphia Eagles at 1 p.m. as well as recognition on-field during pre-game activities.  A $2,000 grant from NFL Charities will also be awarded to the organization served. 

Please visit the Community Quarterback main page to download a nomination form today!  For additional information, please contact Kyla Clark, Community Relations Coordinator, at 770-965-2762 or kclark@falcons.nfl.com.

kyla Miscellaneous

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 October 19.

High School Coach of the Week:

Jeffrey Battles of Hardaway High School in Columbus, GA is in his second year at Hardaway High School.  He took over the Golden Hawks program in 2008 as the Hawks were making the jump from AAA to AAAA.  To date the Hawks are 11 – 6 under Coach Battles (5-5 in 2008 and 6-1 in 2009 to date).  Battles came to Hardaway from Pacelli High School (A) in Columbus.  He was at Pacelli for 9 years, serving as Head Coach for two years (06-07), Defensive Coordinator (05), and Offensive Coordinator (02-04).  As head coach at Pacelli, Battles compiled a 17-7 record, making it to the Quarterfinals in 2006. 

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 Dalton Clark an OT at South Paulding High School in Douglasville, GA.

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

“A good leader is someone whose walk is louder than their talk. Their walk shows everyone around them that there is a “right way” to do things. A leader uses all of his God given talent and ability to succeed and teaches others, through example, how to succeed and learn life’s lessons with dignity, humility, and integrity. Giving back to the community is a great way to show that we are thankful for God’s gifts to us and helps spread the community spirit, hopefully inspring others to do the same, proving that the efforts of many can accomplish more than the sacrifice of just a few.”

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 Little Panthers 10 & U team located in Chattahoochee County, 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 8^th grade cheerleaders of South Gwinnett Athletic Association located in Snellville, 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