2011 Falcons in the Community Recap
Atlanta Falcons Training Camp Youth Weekend
Atlanta Falcons Training Camp Youth Weekend took place July 30 and July 31. Activities were open to children ages 17 and under and held one hour before each open practice. Activities included: daily autograph sessions with Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders, "Look Like A Pro" where children had the chance to try on authentic Falcons equipment. "Rise Up" allowed young fans wearing a football jersey or cheerleading uniform a chance to receive a mini-football or pom-pom, "Football Flurry" allowed young fans the chance to win autographed footballs, "Helmet and Jersey Frenzy" allowed young fans the chance to win team autographed authentic helmets and autographed jerseys.
Falcons First Down for Fitness
In its sixth year, the Falcons First Down for Fitness program ran from September 1 through November 25. The program is designed to challenge students in grades three through seven to participate in physical fitness activities and lead healthy lifestyles. In collaboration with the American Heart Association, the Southeast United Dairy Industry Association (SUDIA) and the NFL's "Play 60" campaign, this incentive-based program rewards participants for being active at least 60 minutes a day, five days a week for three months. Nearly 50,000 students and over 190 teachers across the state participated in the program.
The program featured several rewards and incentives for schools, teachers and students.
• Third through fifth grade students at Meadowcreek Elementary School in Norcross, GA were surprised with a special visit from Atlanta Falcons Players and Cheerleaders. Students spent the morning participating in a Gatorade Junior Training Camp alongside Falcons players, Safety Shann Schillinger, Safety Rafael Bush, Cornerback Dominique Franks, Running Back Antone Smith, Safety William Moore and program spokesperson Wide Receiver Harry Douglas.
• Fourth and fifth grade students at Dresden Elementary School in Chamblee, GA received a special opportunity to participate in physical fitness stations alongside Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders and players Wide Receiver Harry Douglas, Offensive Tackle Garrett Reynolds, Cornerback Christopher Owens and Safety William Moore.
• Atlanta Falcons mascot Freddie Falcon and the Fuel Up to Play 60 program visited Clayton Elementary School in Canton, GA to teach students about fun, easy ways to make healthy eating choices.
• Third through fifth grade students at Montclair Elementary School in Atlanta, GA participated in a Gatorade Junior Training Camp with Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders and players Wide Receiver Harry Douglas, Offensive Guard Mike Johnson, Offensive Guard Joe Hawley, Safety Rafael Bush and Offensive Tackle Jose Valdez.
• Students at Sixes Elementary School in Canton, GA had the opportunity to learn quick, healthy recipes from 12-year old Chef Lizzie. Chef Lizzie and an Atlanta Falcons Cheerleader shared a simple smoothie recipe with the group and students received fun recipes from the American Heart Association for them to try at home.
• Fifth grade students at Buford Academy in Buford, GA participated in a Gatorade Junior Training Camp alongside Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders and players Wide Receiver Harry Douglas, Defensive Tackle Corey Peters, Linebacker Robert James, Tight End Michael Palmer, Defensive Tackle Peria Jerry, Linebacker Spencer Adkins, Offensive Guard Justin Blalock and Offensive Tackle Garrett Reynolds.
Each participating First Down for Fitness school also received:
• A physical fitness equipment pack at the beginning of the program to help teachers find creative ways to increase their students' physical fitness.
• A First Down for Fitness poster featuring program spokesperson Wide Receiver Harry Douglas
• An NFL "Play 60" teacher and student guide
• A special commemorative football featuring program spokesperson Wide Receiver Harry Douglas
• First Down for Fitness teachers received tickets to Atlanta Falcons home games
• Fair Street Elementary School and Berkmar Middle School had the opportunity to participate in the Falcons Fitness Flag Crew.
• Each student received a personalized certificate of completion signed by Head Coach Mike Smith and Falcons wide receiver Harry Douglas.
Eleven First Down for Fitness MVP's were selected and given the opportunity to participate in pre-game ceremonies during the Atlanta Falcons vs. Minnesota Vikings game Sunday, November 27. The eleven Falcons First Down for Fitness MVP's were nominated by their teachers and selected from out of 50,000 students in the program. The MVP's were selected for participation in physical fitness activities at least 60 minutes, five days a week and maintaining healthy eating habits. Each winner will wear a special PLAY 60 jersey during pre-game ceremonies.
2011 Falcons First Down for Fitness MVPs:
Andrew Allums, 5th Garde - Whitesburg Elementary School, Whitesburg, GA
Alan Chung, 7th Grade - Southwest Middle School, Savannah, GA
Mario Gijon, 5th Grade – Brown Elementary School, Smyrna, GA
Bailey Krause, 6th Grade – McClure Middle School, Kennesaw, GA
Nicholas Letizia, 5th Grade - Mountain Road Elementary School, Woodstock, GA
Gregory Payton, 7th Grade – Walter Leonard Parks Middle School, Atlanta, GA
Ziya Rainwater, 4th Grade – C.L. Gideons Elementary School, Atlanta GA
Marquese Taylor, 7th Grade – Hampton Middle School, Hampton, GA
Eve Thomas, 4th Grade – Keheley Elementary School, Marietta, GA
Nathan Tran, 4th Grade – Sugar Hill Christian Academy, Sugar Hill, GA
Nevaeh Whitsell, 5th Grade – Huntley Hills Elementary School, Chamblee, GA
Hometown Huddle
Countless fans and children in gym classes got quite the surprise on Tuesday, October 18th. The Falcons are the only team in the NFL whose entire 53-man roster participates alongside several Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders and members of the Atlanta Falcons Women's Association to make surprise appearances at nine different locations around downtown and the metro Atlanta area. Six stops included United Way-affiliated schools where the players and cheerleaders delivered new sports equipment and promoted physical fitness as part of the NFL's "Play 60" initiative. The remaining stops were visits to public venues around the city which included a local Publix and the Shepherd Center. The Atlanta Falcons Women's Association delivered supplies and spent the morning serving food at Crossroads Community Ministries.
This marked the 13th year of the NFL and United Way's partnership/celebration of Hometown Huddle. Hometown Huddle is a series of volunteer projects implemented on the same day in NFL cities nationwide, teams will be rebuilding playgrounds, hosting youth football clinics, and helping kids stay active for 60 minutes a day as part of "NFL PLAY 60", the League's youth health and fitness campaign.
Now in its 38th year, the United Way/NFL partnership connects "NFL PLAY 60" with United Way's goal of 1.9 million more healthy young people by 2018. Designed to tackle childhood obesity, "NFL PLAY 60" brings together the NFL's long-standing commitment to health and fitness with partner organizations like United Way. "PLAY 60" is also implemented locally, as part of the NFL's in-school, after-school and team-based programs. Since the program was launched in 2007, the NFL has committed $200 million to youth health and fitness through programming, grants, and media time for public service announcements.
Dazzle and Dine
The 3rd Annual Dazzle and Dine took place Tuesday, October 4th and honored breast cancer survivors Janet Beebe, Trudy Davies Davis, Greta Samuels, Teresa Seitz and Janice Weaver. All of the ladies were treated to a day of pampering and an evening of fine dining with Atlanta Falcons players. The afternoon began with a new hairstyle and make-up application provided by Jamison Shaw Hairdressers. Each honoree also received a gift bag filled with beauty products. The ladies were transported by limousine courtesy of Cooper-Atlanta to Wildfire Perimeter where their invited guest joined them for dinner with Atlanta Falcons players Jonathan Babineaux, Sam Baker, Thomas DeCoud, Dominique Franks, Peria Jerry, Reggie Kelly, William Moore, Christopher Owens, Corey Peters, Will Svitek and Joe Zelenka. Sam Baker, whose mother is a breast cancer survivor, addressed the group and spoke about the importance of raising awareness for breast cancer and recognizing the ladies for their efforts. Reggie Kelly provided an inspirational message about the courage of the ladies. Additionally, the Atlanta Falcons and NFL Partnership Fund provided a local non-profit breast cancer awareness organization of the winner's choice with a $1,000 grant in their name.
Community Quarterback Award
The Atlanta Falcons Community Quarterback Award honors volunteers in Georgia (ages 13 and over) who exemplify leadership and dedication to bettering their communities. Many organizations rely on quality volunteers to create and facilitate programs that benefit many lives throughout the state of Georgia. The Community Quarterback Award is designed to recognize and reward these volunteers.
Over 60 deserving individuals were nominated for the 2011 Community Quarterback Award. Four incredible individuals were selected as this year's recipients: Dylan Callicotte (Epilepsy Foundation of Georgia), James Hamm (Special Populations Tennis Program, Inc.), Randall Hughes (Atlanta Legal Aid Society, Inc.) and Kirk Posmantur (After-School All-Stars). They were honored during pre-game ceremonies of the Atlanta Falcons vs. New Orleans Saints game Sunday, November 13. Each winner received an Atlanta Falcons Community Quarterback Award jacket, a commemorative football and a personalized jersey. Additionally, a $2,000 grant was awarded to the non-profit organization each winner serves.
FalCan Food Drive
As a standing tradition, each year the Atlanta Falcons have partnered with Publix and the Atlanta Community Food Bank (ACFB) to host their annual FalCan Food Drive. Beginning in 2010, the Atlanta Falcons and Publix began offering the FalCan Food Drive School Challenge as an exciting new opportunity for schools throughout Georgia to join in the fight against hunger. Nearly fifty schools collected nearly 58,000 pounds of canned goods and/or non-perishable food items over a four week period for the opportunity to win exciting prizes. All participating schools received a special group ticket offer to the Sunday, November 20 game and a mention listed on the Atlanta Falcons Website.
The 1st place school, Chapman Intermediate, collected 10,045 pounds and received 60 tickets to the Falcons game on Sunday, November 20, participated as the Falcons Fitness Flag Crew of the game and received a special recognition during the game.
The 2nd place school, Berkmar Middle School, collected 3,660 pounds and received 50 tickets to see the Falcons game on Sunday, November 20, a special recognition during the game and a visit to their school with an Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders and Freddie Falcon.
The 3rd place school, International Academy of Smyrna, collected 2,744 pounds and received 25 tickets to see the Falcons game on Sunday, November 20 and a special recognition during the game.
Prior to the Atlanta Falcons vs. Tennessee Titans game on Sunday, November 20, the Atlanta Falcons, Publix and the Atlanta Community Food Bank hosted the "Who's the Biggest Giver" contest at Falcons Landing from 1 p.m. until 3:15 p.m. Fans were encouraged to bring as many canned and/or non-perishable items to win exciting Falcons prizes. The first 200 people to donate canned and/or non-perishable items received an autographed photo from a current Falcons player. The top 3 "Biggest Givers" received the following prizes:
1) Two lower level tickets, two pre-game sideline passes and two owner's club passes to have lunch with a Ring of Honor member before the December 15th Falcons vs. Jacksonville Jaguars game.
2) Four pre-game sideline passes and four lower level tickets to the December 15th Falcons vs. Jacksonville Jaguars game.
3) A visit by Freddie Falcons and Cheerleaders to your game day tailgate party at the Georgia Dome along with four lower level tickets to the December 15th Falcons vs. Jacksonville Jaguars game.
Including the donations collected prior to the Sunday, November 20th Tennessee Titans game, the efforts of the FalCan Food Drive School Challenge and the Food for Sharing Program raised 223,321 pounds which translates into 186,026 meals for the community.
Toys for Tots
Another standing tradition, fans supported the Atlanta Falcons Toys for Tots drive prior to the Atlanta Falcons vs. Jacksonville Jaguars game on Thursday, December 15 in record fashion. With donations of over 1,000 toys and more than $12,000, together the Atlanta Falcons, O'Reilly Auto Parts and the U.S. Marine Corps were able to provide deserving families with special toys during the holiday season.
**Atlanta Falcons Youth Foundation
**
The Atlanta Falcons Youth Foundation (AFYF) was established in 1985 to serve as the philanthropic arm of the Atlanta Falcons. Since Arthur Blank acquired the Atlanta Falcons in 2002, AFYF has grown to be the largest owner-funded foundation in the National Football League, providing more than $18 million in grants to nonprofit organizations across the state of Georgia.
AFYF is taking the issue of childhood obesity head on by investing in nonprofit organizations that are increasing the time kids spend in physical activity and increasing access to healthy, affordable food.
**Falcons Fitness Flag Crew
**
During each Atlanta Falcons home game, 60 participants were selected to assist in unfurling an oversized 40 yard by 40 yard Falcons flag as a part of the Falcons game day experience right before kickoff. These participants are made up of schools, military personnel, youth football teams and civic/non-profit organizations. The Falcons Fitness Flag Crew experience provided each individual with a t-shirt, ticket to the game and the opportunity to partake in pre-game aerobic warm-ups led by members of the Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders, an on-field rehearsal, lunch and the opportunity to visit Falcons Landing. By the conclusion of each experience, participants logged nearly two miles of walking.
Falcons Gatorade Junior Training Camps
The Atlanta Falcons conducted Falcons Gatorade Junior Training Camps in schools and parks across Georgia with a special emphasis on introducing youth to the fundamentals of football through basic drills as well as expose them to hydration maintenance. Over 75 camps were conducted across the state and an estimated 9,000 children had the opportunity to participate. These camps reached areas of the state including metro Atlanta, Macon, Americus, Athens and Waynesboro.
During the month of June, the Falcons visited Americus, Fort Valley and Macon, GA. This marked the first time that the Falcons have ever visited these areas. The Falcons worked with the Boys & Girls Club in each of these towns (which included a stop at the Jimmy Carter Boys & Girls Club in Americus) to conduct the camps for these children. The children enjoyed the opportunity to have a unique program like this visit their hometown.
Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders
Everyone knows that the Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders perform at each home game, but what most may not know is that throughout the year the cheerleaders appeared at over 350 community events across the state of Georgia. These events included speaking engagements to promote physical fitness and education, stops at hospitals, schools, homeless shelters and even military bases to name a few.
Atlanta Falcons Junior Cheerleaders
Young ladies ages 5-16 had the opportunity to cheer for their home team by participating in the Atlanta Falcons Junior Cheerleaders Program. There were no tryouts required to participate and all skill levels were accepted. Nearly 300 young girls performed in front of tens of thousands of fans during halftime of the Atlanta Falcons vs. Tennessee Titans game on November 20th.
Participants of the program received a game day uniform, pom poms, practice t-shirt, three instructional clinics taught by the Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders and a tailgate party on performance day.
Atlanta Falcons Women's Association
This season was filled with several events and volunteer opportunities for the Atlanta Falcons Women's Association. Over the course of the season members had major roles in the following initiatives:
• B'Rest Stop at the It's the Journey, Inc 2-Day Breast Cancer Walk – members of the Atlanta Falcons Women's Association hosted a Falconized B'Rest Stop where they cheered on walkers and passed out pink pom-poms, wristbands and player trading cards with Breast Cancer Awareness messaging.
• Hometown Huddle— members of the Atlanta Falcons Women's Association visited the Crossroads Community Ministries to prepare and serve food to the homeless.
• Food sorting at the Atlanta Community Food Bank – members of the Atlanta Falcons Women's Association visited the Atlanta Community Food Bank to sort donated food items for distribution.
• FalCan Food Drive - members of the Atlanta Falcons Women's Association assisted with the game day collection on Sunday, November 20.
• Annual t-shirt and pillowcase paint at The Child Life Zone at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite - members of the Atlanta Falcons Women's Association spent the afternoon visiting with patients. The ladies helped children and their families decorate t-shirts, pillowcases and picture frames.
Player Appearances
The Atlanta Falcons players have been active in the community this season participating in over 425 appearances and logging more than 3500 hours around the state of Georgia. Some of the visits included a visit to Dobbins Air Force Base to thank the military for their service, the defensive line treating 40 children from the Atlanta Union Mission to a holiday shopping spree at a local Wal-Mart and participating in a special Thanksgiving luncheon for refugees at the Fugees Academy in Clarkston. Additional visits throughout the year included, the entire roster celebrating Hometown Huddle by participating in community service all over metro Atlanta, surprise school visits, Atlanta Falcons Gatorade Junior Training Camps, hospital visits and serving meals at homeless shelters during the holidays.
Atlanta Falcons Rookie Club sponsored by UnitedHealthcare of Georgia
The Atlanta Falcons Rookie Club is designed to specifically expose and immerse the rookie class into the metro Atlanta community and involve them in different community activities. Throughout the season, the Atlanta Falcons Rookie Club served a special Thanksgiving meal to the homeless, hosted a football camp for special education students, visited the Shepherd Center, treated several underprivileged children from the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Atlanta to a special holiday shopping spree, passed out non-perishable food to military families for Veterans Day and fished with children from the Eagle Ranch children's home.
Donations
Throughout the year, the Community Relations Department donated autographed items in support of charity events/programs/activities to official 501(c)3 non-profit organizations and schools within the state of Georgia. Beneficiaries must support youth and/or focus on health, arts, physical fitness and/or education. In 2011, local organizations were able to raise nearly $33,500.
**Salute to High School Football Luncheon
**
The fourth annual Salute to High School Football Luncheon took place Saturday, December 10 at the Georgia World Congress Center. Former Atlanta Falcons tight end Alge Crumpler gave the keynote address, along with remarks from Atlanta Falcons Head Coach Mike Smith and President & CEO, Rich McKay and General Manager Thomas Dimitroff. Additionally, the second annual Warrick Dunn Captain in the Community of the Year award was presented to Cameron Sutton from Jonesboro High School
The Atlanta Falcons Divisional Coach of the Year and Lifetime Achievement Winner were announced. Each winner received a crystal trophy along with a $1,000 gift card, courtesy of hhgregg. They are as follows:
• 1A-Donald Chumley, Savannah Christian Preparatory High School
• 2A-Jess Simpson, Buford High School
• 3A-Gary Varner, Allatoona High School
• 4A-Bryan Way, Warner Robins High School
• 5A- Michael Carson, Martin Luther King, Jr. High School
Lifetime Achievement Award Winner
• Dave Hunter, Brookwood High School
Additional prizes were awarded to those in attendance. They are as follows:
The Atlanta Falcons Youth Foundation gave away (5) $600 and (1) $1,000 equipment grants and USA Football gave away (5) $1,500 equipment grants. PGA TOUR Superstore gave away (2) Taylor Made Matrix Drivers and Covers and (2) $100 Gift Cards. The Atlanta Falcons gave away (3) autographed authentic jerseys and (6) ipads.
Finally, Russell Athletic gave each coach a polo and Air Tran Airways provided a discounted flight voucher.
NFL Youth Football Fund Matching Grant
The Atlanta Falcons and the NFL's Youth Football Fund matching grant program awarded $40,000 in grants around the state of Georgia through the following programs:
**Captain in the Community presented by Russell Athletic
**
The Captain in the Community program recognized outstanding varsity high school football student-athletes around the state of Georgia that demonstrated strong leadership skills both on and off the field. The program encouraged these student-athletes to continue to be leaders in their communities.
During the 2011 high school football season, the Falcons honored 10 varsity football student-athletes who excelled on the field, in the classroom and in their communities. The winners were selected by members of the USA Football staff. In order to be considered a Falcons Captain in the Community, the student-athlete had to meet the following criteria:
• 3.0 or higher grade point average
• Voluntary community service record (i.e. camp instructor, participation in school food drive/toys for tots program, mission trips, visits to nursing homes/hospitals, involvement with Boys & Girls Club/YMCA programs or other service projects.)
Winners received a plaque, Captain in the Community t-shirts for all of their teammates and their high school received a $1,000 grant to support future community initiatives.
All high school varsity football student-athletes in the state of Georgia who met the criteria were eligible for the Captain in the Community award.
The 2011 winners:
• Malachi Singleton – Sol C. Johnson High School
• Tyler Teknipp – Eagle's Landing High School
• Chris Bier – Forsyth Central High School
• Nicholas Rea – Duluth High School
• Trent Van Pelt – Fellowship Christian High School
• Blake Roberts – West Forsyth High School
• Jahkeem Forrester – Mount Zion High School
• Joseph Scelfo – North Oconee High School
• Jay Dawahare - St. Anne-Pacelli Catholic School
• Cameron Sutton – Jonesboro High School – Warrick Dunn Captain in the Community of the Year
**Coach of the Week presented by Russell Athletic
**
Every year the Atlanta Falcons honor high school football coaches through the NFL's Coach of the Week program. Coach of the Week presented by Russell Athletic recognizes high school coaches who, through their hard work and dedication to young people, have made a difference in the lives of their players, community and school as well as provides high schools with financial assistance to help maintain and upgrade their football programs.
Each week of the season, the winner received a plaque signed by Head Coach Mike Smith, sweatsuits for the entire coaching staff, Coach of the Week t-shirts for the entire football team and a $1,000 grant from the NFL's Youth Football Fund to his school's athletic department.
The 2011 Coach of the Week winners:
• Keith Maloof – Norcross High School
• Brian Montgomery - Shiloh High School
• Rodney Walker – Mary Persons High School
• Tim Hardy – Mountain View High School
• Sid Maxwell – Lambert High School
• Bobby Johns – Bacon County High School
• Jarrett Laws – Charles Drew High School
• Franklin Pridgen – Wesleyan High School
• Jason Strickland – Lamar County High School
• Richie Marsh - Thomasville High School
• Bob Sphire – North Gwinnett High School
• Terry Crowder - Chattahoochee High School
Youth Team and Cheer Squad of the Week
This program recognized youth football teams and cheer squads throughout the state of Georgia. One team was selected weekly beginning early September through mid-November.
Each team of the week/cheer squad of the week received t-shirts and a grant in the amount of $500 to support their organization.
The 2011 Youth Team of the Week winners:
• Central Dekalb Jaguars - 7-year-old team
• Bennett Park Raiders - 12 & under team
• Parkview Panthers - 9-year-old team
• North Henry Tigers - 7-year-old team
• Archer Tigers - 8-year-old team
• Ray Falcons - 10-year-old team
• Hapeville Hornets - 5-year-old team
• Milford Warriors - 11 & 12-year-old team
• Northeast Packers - 8-year-old team
• Sandy Creek Junior Patriots - 11-year-old team
The 2011 Cheer Squad of the Week winners:
• Lady Lions of the Tucker Football League -14 & under cheerleading squad
• Fairburn Flames - 10 & under cheerleading squad
• Walker Wildcats - 14-year-old cheerleading squad
• Sequoyah Black - 10 & 11-year-old cheerleading squad
• Midway Wildcats - 12 & under cheerleading squad
• Lady Knights - 10-year-old cheerleading squad
• Peachtree Ridge – 5th grade cheerleaders
• Atlanta Colts – 3rd grade cheerleaders
• Mountain View Bears – 1st grade cheerleaders
• Rockdale Cheerleaders - 10-year-old cheerleading squad
Refurbished Football Equipment and Minor Field Repair Grants
17 youth football organizations, middle and/or high schools around the State of Georgia were awarded refurbished football equipment or minor field repair grants totaling $16,900.
The 2011 Refurbished Football Equipment and Minor Field Repair grant recipients:
Refurbished Equipment Grant Recipients:
Academy of Richmond County High School (Augusta, GA): $1,000
Atkinson County High School (Pearson, GA): $1,000
Chamblee High School (Chamblee, GA): $900
Haralson County Middle School (Tallapoosa, GA): $1,000
Lee County High School (Leesburg, GA): $1,000
Louisville Middle School (Louisville, GA): $1,000
North Murray High School (Chatsworth, GA): $1,000
Northeast High School (Macon, GA): $1,000
Northside High School (Columbus, GA): $1,000
Riverdale Middle School (Riverdale, GA): $1,000
Twiggs County High School (Jeffersonville, GA): $1,000
Washington Middle School (Cairo, GA): $1,000
West Hall Middle School (Oakwood, GA): $1,000
Woodland High School (Cartersville, GA): $1,000
Minor Field Repair Grant Recipients:
Arnold Magnet Academy (Columbus, GA): $1,000
Baconton Community Charter School (Baconton, GA): $1,000
Ringgold High School (Ringgold, GA): $1,000
Atlanta Falcons Community Honors Dinner
The 2nd Annual Atlanta Falcons Community Honors Dinner was held on Monday, December 5 at The Commerce Club in downtown Atlanta. This special evening recognized four Atlanta Falcons Community Quarterback winners and four Atlanta Falcons Community All-Star of the Month winners. Additionally, the Atlanta Falcons announced for the first time the 2011 Atlanta Falcons Walter Payton Man of the Year winner. DT Corey Peters was selected as the winner.
The Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award recognizes a player's off-the-field community engagement. Each team in the NFL nominates one player from its organization as the Man of the Year. The winner will be considered in the final selection of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award which is announced during halftime of Super Bowl XLVI.
The Atlanta Falcons Community All-Star of the Month winners were the nominees for the Atlanta Falcons Man of the Year award. The nominees were as follows: TE Michael Palmer, WR Harry Douglas, DT Corey Peters and LS Joe Zelenka.
In attendance were several past Atlanta Falcons Man of the Year winners including: RB William Andrews, LB Buddy Curry, WR Michael Haynes, FB Ovie Mughelli, CB Christopher Owens and LB Jessie Tuggle.
The Atlanta Falcons Community All-Star of the Month program recognizes a player each month that has shown a strong dedication to giving back to the community. Each winner has been heavily engaged in team and/or their own community initiatives
The Atlanta Falcons Community Quarterback Award honors volunteers in Georgia (ages 13 and over) who exemplify leadership and dedication to bettering their communities. The Atlanta Falcons recognize that many organizations rely on quality volunteers to create and facilitate programs that benefit many lives throughout the state of Georgia. This award is designed to reward these individuals. The winners were selected by a panel of civic and community leaders. A $2,000 grant was awarded to the non-profit organization each winner serves.
