Spreading Our Wings

Atlanta Falcons TE Tony Gonzalez visited Capitol View Elementary School this past week to “coach” a pedestrian safety clinic.  The event was part of the 6th annual FedEx Air & Ground Players of the Week program, which encourages NFL fans to vote for outstanding Air & Ground players throughout the season to benefit pedestrian safety programs nationwide.

As part of the program, FedEx is teaming up with Safe Kids USA – a national non-profit organization that works to prevent accidental injury among children – to deliver safer kids by making weekly donations in the winning players’ names to local Safe Kids coalitions across the country. FedEx is donating $10,000 to the Safe Kids Georgia Coalition, to improve pedestrian safety near the school.

kyla Appearance Tony Gonzalez

The Atlanta Falcons held their inaugural Thanksgiving luncheon on Tuesday. Erik Coleman, Ovie Mughelli, Marty Booker, Chevis Jackson, Tye Hill and other Falcons players were joined by two Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders to celebrate Thanksgiving with the students at South Hall Middle School. The luncheon began with a Thanksgiving arts and crafts session where everyone made cards and wrote, “What they are thankful for in 2009.” Everyone took advantage of this opportunity to put things into perspective and realize how much there is to be thankful for; things that we often take for granted on a daily basis. Safety Erik Coleman said, “I am very fortunate to be playing in the NFL and everyone doesn’t have this opportunity. It’s truly a blessing.”

After the arts and crafts session concluded, Thanksgiving lunch was provided by Turnstile Deli. This was a typical Thanksgiving meal which included turkey, ham, sweet potato soufflé, cornbread dressing and much more.  The last part of the luncheon consisted of several players, cheerleaders and students presenting their cards with the class. Principal Paula Stubbs deemed this “a once in a lifetime opportunity” for many of the students that participated.  There were (25) students that took part in the luncheon.  These students were selected by their recent hard work in school, brought up grades and/or perfect attendance.

kyla Appearance Chevis Jackson, Christopher Owens, Erik Coleman, Garrett Reynolds, Jose Valdez, Marty Booker, Ovie Mughelli, Tye Hill

Last week, the Atlanta Falcons Rookie Club sponsored by United Healthcare of Georgia, participated in a Falcons Gatorade Junior Training Camp with special education students at South Forsyth High School. The camp consisted of five stations, each teaching basic skills of the game. The players were very involved with the students and helped guide them through the drills at each station. After the camp concluded, the players and students received lunch compliments of Chick-fil-A. The rookies made quite an impression on the staff as well. The administration staff at South Forsyth High School was very appreciative of the visit. They commended the players on their accessibility and genuine attitude. The players were very engaging with the students and showed support and offered assistance when needed.

kyla Appearance Antone Smith, Christopher Owens, Garrett Reynolds, John Parker Wilson, Jose Valdez, Lawrence Sidbury, Maurice Lucas, Rob Bruggeman, rookie club, Spencer Adkins, Vance Walker, William Moore

Student deciding which foods are healthy

Christopher Owens and teammates head down court as they score a point

After the conclusion of the relay race the students, players and cheerleaders participated in a game of Football-Basketball Toss-Up. For more information visit atlantafalcons.com/firstdownforfitness.

kyla Appearance Christopher Owens, First Down For Fitness, Jose Valdez, Michael Jenkins

Tony Gilbert and Kroy Biermann spent an afternoon this past week reading to children at White Oak Elementary in Buford.  The players read short stories to the children and discussed the importance of literacy.  This event was very exciting for the children as many of them had not had an opportunity to meet a professional football player before.  They were even more excited when they had learned that Kroy Biermann had scored a touchdown in this past Monday night’s game against New Orleans!

For more information on Read with a Falcon, please click here.

kyla Appearance Kroy Biermann, Read with a Falcon, Tony Gilbert

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

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

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Harry Douglas will be hosting Bowling for Babies for the March of Dimes Atlanta Chapter at Ten Pin Alley in Atlantic Station on Monday October 19 from 6 – 8 p.m.  Come join Douglas and many of his teammates for a fun night of bowling, food & fun.

Individual tickets and sponsorship packages are on sale thru the March of Dimes.  Individual tickets must be purchased by calling, Lindsay Masters with the March of Dimes Atlanta Chapter at 404 – 350 – 9800.

To learn more about this event.  Please check out this link below.

http://www.marchofdimes.com/georgia/37566_61336.asp

Come out and get a chance to meet some of your favorite Falcons players and a chance to help a worthy cause!

kyla Appearance Harry Douglas