Photos: Super Bowl 53 Opening Night at State Farm Arena

Sports

Photos: Super Bowl 53 Opening Night at State Farm Arena

The Rams and Patriots kicked off Super Bowl LIII week with an opening night gathering at State Farm Arena.

Fans cheer during the Super Bowl Opening Night at State Farm Arena on Monday, Jan. 28, 2019, in Atlanta. (Branden Camp/Special)

Super Bowl opening night: The Rams were first on stage during Monday's event at State Farm Arena. Cornerback Aqib Talib shares a laugh while chatting with the media. (Branden Camp/Special)

Fans cheer during the Super Bowl Opening Night at State Farm Arena on Monday, Jan. 28, 2019, in Atlanta. (Branden Camp/Special)

Countdown to Super Bowl LIII: State Farm Arena in downtown Atlanta was the site of Monday's Super Bowl 53 Opening Night. The Rams and Patriots met with fans and the media in the kickoff to Super Bowl week. The teams will meet in the big game Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Ryon Horne/rhorne@ajc.com)

Super Bowl opening night: The Rams were first on the stage during Monday's event at State Farm Arena. Rams RB Todd Gurley, formerly of the University of Georgia, is interviewed by Falcons legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders. (Branden Camp/Special)

The AFC champion New England Patriots followed the Rams on center stage Monday evening. QB Tom Brady smiles while interacting with the media at State Farm Arena. (Branden Camp/Special)

Rams running back Todd Gurley acknowledges the crowd during Monday's event. (Ryon Horne/rhorne@ajc.com)

Todd Gurley rushed for an NFL-best 17 touchdowns during the 2018 regular season. (Ryon Horne/rhorne@ajc.com)

Rams QB Jared Goff under the bright lights of opening night. (Branden Camp/Special)

Ndamukong Suh addresses the media gathering during Monday's event. (Ryon Horne/rhorne@ajc.com)

Rams head coach Sean McVay chats with the crowd during Monday's event. (Branden Camp/Special)

Sean McVay, who turned 33 on Jan. 24, is the youngest head coach to lead his team to the Super Bowl. (Ryon Horne/rhorne@ajc.com)

Rams linebacker Cory Littleton is all smiles during Monday's event. (Branden Camp/Special)

Super Bowl opening night: Los Angeles Rams QB Jared Goff takes center stage Monday at State Farm Arena. (Branden Camp/Special)

Patriots coach Bill Belichick listens to a question from the media gathering. (Branden Camp/Special)

Former UGA running back Sony Michel, who played in the national championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in 2018, is back at MBS as a Patriots rookie playing in Super Bowl 53. (Branden Camp/Special)

Sony Michel was selected in the first round (No. 31 overall) in the 2018 NFL draft. (Branden Camp/Special)

Sony Michel scored five touchdowns in the Patriots' two playoff victories. (Branden Camp/Special)

Patriots center David Andrews attended high school in metro Atlanta and played his college football at Georgia. (Branden Camp/Special)

Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski interacts with the media. (Branden Camp/Special)

Patriots defensive end Trey Flowers smiles during Monday's event. (Branden Camp/Special)

Patriots running back James White listens to a question from the media. (Branden Camp/Special)

Patriots safety Patrick Chung responds to a question during Monday's event. (Branden Camp/Special)

Falcons owner Arthur Blank during Super Bowl Opening Night at State Farm Arena on Monday, Jan. 28, 2019, in Atlanta. (Branden Camp/Special)

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Fans cheer during the Super Bowl Opening Night at State Farm Arena on Monday, Jan. 28, 2019, in Atlanta. (Branden Camp/Special)

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