Spreading Our Wings

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

With a gentle hand, running back Jerious Norwood cleaned a paint brush in a tin of water and went to apply a different color to a special art project. To his right, a girl from Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, tackling a watercolor image of a fish on a paper canvas.

Norwood and four of his Falcons teammates visited with 10 children from CHOA and their families at the Georgia Aquarium on April 8, interacting with some of their younger fans who have fought through challenges at area children’s hospitals. The group worked on fish-themed crafts for more than a half an hour before taking a behind-the-scenes tour of the facility.

Norwood, an avid angler, left his rod and line at home but looked on with interest as staff fed the four whale sharks at the Ocean Voyager exhibit.

“We get to spend some time today at the aquarium with some boys and girls experiencing a difficult time,” said linebacker Coy Wire, who joined Norwood, defensive end Chauncey Davis and running backs Michael Turner and Thomas Brown at the event. “It’s an honor to be able to do it.”

Meg Flynn, a spokeswoman for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, said the children and their families represented treatment areas across the hospital. Kids were picked for the event, in part, because of their affinity for the Falcons. The initial request for fans was met with “an overwhelming response,” Flynn said.

The group of Falcons immediately connected with their young supporters, putting aside the hard game of football for a few quieter moments with paint and the peacefulness that comes with watching a tank full of fish. But in the midst of the fun, the group imparted a valuable lesson.

“One of the most important things is to allow these kids to see we’re just like them,” Wire said. “Whatever they want to see and accomplish, they can.”

Wire was proud of his artwork but said he was outdone by his young partners. Brown, the youngest Falcon in the group, said he looks forward to spending time in the community. When he was younger, opportunities to paint with the likes of Norwood and other NFL stars wasn’t readily available.

“It’s not that long ago I was a kid,” the second-year player out of Georgia said. “So I’m getting out in the community to support them.”

J. Michael Moore Appearance Chauncey Davis, CHOA, Coy Wire, Georgia Aquarium, Jerious Norwood, Michael Turner, Thomas Brown