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Sunday, December 28, 2008
Falcons fans: The love is back
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Kathy and Calvin Wells, from left, and Clay Coleman celebrate the Falcons’ win
As the thunderous cheering began to wane following the Falcons’ 31-27 win over the St. Louis Rams Sunday, Clay Coleman summed up the season so far.
“The love is back,” he said.
That sentiment seemed echoed throughout the Georgia Dome Sunday, both in fans’ signs - “I BELIEVE!” and “Playoffs? Who Would’ve Thunk It?” and “From Worst to First!” - and among fans themselves.
“This time last year,” Coleman noted, “you could just walk into a game.”
Then again, this time last year the team’s quarterback, Michael Vick, had just gone to prison for dogfighting and its former coach, Bobby Petrino, had split for Arkansas.
And now, with coach Mike Smith at the helm and rookie star QB Matt Ryan in the pocket, the Falcons are headed to the playoffs.
Sidney Sears
“I feel like it’s a whole new team, a whole new atmosphere,” said Sidney Sears of Gainesville.
She’s been a season ticket holder for several years and said last year’s season sometimes felt like one to endure, rather than enjoy. This year she’s been wearing her Matt Ryan t-shirt to every game, as a good-luck charm.
“He helps make the team,” she said.
Dewanna Jackson McGruder and Wanda Fickens started cheering long before Sunday’s game started. They arrived about 10 a.m. and waved pom-poms as players entered for pre-game warmups, or as coaches and trainers walked past, or as security guards looked their way and waved.
“Everybody has a season,” said McGruder, whose been coming to games as a season ticket holder since the age of 4. “After everything we went through last year, with the quarterback and the coach, it’s our time. I love Arthur Blank. It’s his time to shine.”
Dewanna Jackson McGruder and Wanda Fickens
