Now that time has begun to heal the wounded hearts – and pride – of Atlanta Falcons fans, we can state what might not have been received well last week, if received at all.
Which is that, where it perhaps counts the most, the Falcons really did win. Yes, you read that right. The team handily scored everywhere outside of Houston’s NRG Stadium.
So how did the team and its corps of fans die-hard and casual alike come out the victors in a heart-render of a game that ended with a 34-28 overtime shutdown of the Dirty Birds?
The answer is as simple as it is comprehensive. The Falcons’ game-changer of a charge toward the Super Bowl, and even all but the last quarter of the vaunted game itself, united metro Atlantans and millions more elsewhere in a way that’s become distressingly uncommon in recent years.
The far-reaching, red-and-black quilt of flags, jerseys, banners and what all else of team paraphernalia that covered all quarters of metro Atlanta, this state and places far beyond fell across a fan base of dizzying diversity. The team’s cheering section crossed every conceivable demographic, ethnic and religious boundary.
And, amazingly in this divisive era, for a short, joyous time — until the bitter end brought about by a just-barely-there touchdown of the New England Patriots — the team’s gallop toward the championship stitched us together in unity around a common, positive goal.
There was a time when similar examples of a united community and shared values were not all that uncommon. It really was not that long ago when people of goodwill, but unlike minds on this issue or that, managed to somehow routinely coalesce when it counted and otherwise coexist in an atmosphere of mutual respect. Back then, people of differing views, beliefs and opinions actually managed to get needed things done at all levels of community, civic leadership and politics. Think Ronald Reagan and U.S. House Speaker Tip O’Neill.
Those days now seem a long time ago. Today, many – in truth, probably most of us — prefer the comfort of our own echo chambers. In so doing, we can effectively shut out different viewpoints. Worse yet, we then often slide toward being unable to see other ideas as being anywhere near legitimate, let alone worthy of hearing, or possible consideration.
So, in the shadow of a “stop ‘em in their tracks” political climate, the Falcons’ dash for the gridiron’s greatest honor and the widespread community support it gained each stand out as a proud moment in metro Atlanta’s history.
It shows all the world what this region and state are capable of when we choose to step decisively onto the field with unity having our backs. At our best, we’re a force to be contended with. Much of the entire planet saw that on February 5. Football followers came to see it much earlier as the Falcons pounded their way through a season that led them into the Super Bowl’s stadium.
This realization could be easily overlooked amid memories of all of the cheering, banner-waving, rallying, partying and good-natured joshing that traveled along with Atlanta’s team this past season. The obvious can often evade us when we’re caught up in the moment.
The visual imagery, and visceral good feelings of the Falcons’ rallies should not be soon forgotten. In those moments, and during each game, we managed to sweep aside for a few precious moments the deep and bitter differences of politics, household income, religion, race and all else that often inhibits productive civic and community dialogue. The Falcons’ run briefly bridged all of that.
That’s an awful lot to ask of a team of athletes and the business that supports them. It’s no exaggeration to say that playing football is easy by comparison.
All of Atlanta, and Georgia, should be grateful that our Falcons proved more than able at pulling off this great task. As for the Super Bowl, there’s always next year. Rise Up and buckle down!
About the Author
