NFL commissioner Roger Goodell noted the historical importance of Atlanta and noted that hosting another Super Bowl in the future would be highly competitive.
“As we approach this milestone, it is only fitting that we are here in Atlanta,” Goodell said as the NFL is headed into its 100th season. “A city of milestones. A city of progress.
“Atlanta is a pillar of the Civil Rights movement. The birth place of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the home of Civil Rights icons like Congressman John Lewis and Ambassador Andrew Young. We are proud to devote much of this week to honoring that legacy. The men and women who fathered and contributed so much to our country.”
Atlanta hosted Super Bowl XXVIII and XXXIV, but didn't host a game over the past 19 years. The Rams and the Patriots will play in Super Bowl LIII at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
So far, Atlanta has impressed Goodell and the league.
“Atlanta has done an incredible job,” Goodell said. “I meet with our team yesterday and again this morning. I think all of the preparations that needed to be made, have been made. Everybody has worked tirelessly as we’ve prepared for this.”
Atlanta caught a break when the predicted two inches of snow didn’t fall early in the week.
“The enthusiasm, the hospitality and the desire to make sure that they put Atlanta on the big stage in a way that will show incredibly well,” Goodell said. “We are early in the week, but we see no reason why this isn’t going to be a great Super Bowl.”
The two previous Super Bowls were played in the Georgia Dome. This will be the first Super Bowl of the $1.5 billion Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
“As it related to when we are going to come back, as you know they’ve become more competitive for cities to host the Super Bowl, which we think that is great,” Goodell said. “I also believe is that not the city, which is an important city for us, the new stadium is one that everybody is going to marvel at on Sunday.”
