Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons

The Bow Tie Chronicles: A closer look at Falcons QB Desmond Ridder

Former Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder was drafted in the third round by the Falcons. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Credit: AP

Credit: AP

Former Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder was drafted in the third round by the Falcons. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
By
May 4, 2022

In the 331st episode of The Bow Tie Chronicles podcast, host D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution takes a closer look at Falcons rookie quarterback Desmond Ridder, who was drafted in the third round of the NFL draft (74th overall). Ridder, general manager Terry Fontenot and coach Arthur Smith stop by to discuss the team’s new quarterback. Also, Baltimore first-round pick Kyle Hamilton stops by, and we hear from Falcons draft picks DeAngelo Malone, Justin Shaffer and John FitzPatrick.

About the Author

Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his "long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football," D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. has covered the NFL 28 seasons. A graduate of Howard University, he's a winner of Georgia Sportswriter of the Year and three Associated Press Sports Editor awards.

Follow D. Orlando Ledbetter on facebookFollow D. Orlando Ledbetter on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

The Atlanta Falcons lost 37-9 at home to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, dropping them to 3-9 and guaranteeing they finish with a losing record for the eighth straight season. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Falcons offense disappears in 37-9 loss to Seahawks

The Falcons lost for the seventh time in the last eight games at home to the Seattle Seahawks, 37-9. The Falcons are now guaranteed an eighth straight losing season.

45m ago

Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins talks about the Seahawks

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins talks Seattle’s defensive front, Ernest Jones IV and Sam Darnold’s career revival before Sunday’s game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

On the hot seat for Falcons: Special teams haven’t been very special

After basically costing the team the game against the Jets, Atlanta's special teams units will be on the hot seat when they face the Seahawks Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

The Latest

The Atlanta Falcons lost 37-9 at home to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, dropping them to 3-9 and guaranteeing they finish with a losing record for the eighth straight season. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Falcons offense disappears in 37-9 loss to Seahawks

45m ago

Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins talks about the Seahawks

On the hot seat for Falcons: Special teams haven’t been very special

Featured

Fans celebrate in the stands after Cape Verde defeated Eswatini in a World Cup qualifying soccer match at Estádio Nacional in Praia, Cape Verde, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, to clinch their qualification for the 2026 World Cup. (Cristiano Barbosa/AP)

Credit: AP

A tiny nation qualified for its first World Cup. Cape Verde has fans here

Cape Verde, competing in its first World Cup, will take on the world's No. 1 team in Spain at 12 p.m. on June 15 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

Georgia’s special ed program promised help. Families say it delivered them harm.

Georgia subdues a nemesis in rolling past Crimson Tide for SEC championship

Georgia notched its best win of the season at the perfect time, finally vanquishing Alabama in Atlanta and taking home the SEC Championship for the second straight year.