'Brotherhood' and 'the Standard' are a few of the most popular phrases you'll hear around Atlanta's team facility. They are words that stem from the Falcons Navy SEALS (APG) workouts that served as the foundation for the mantra the team lives by.
The appreciation for the military is something that's heavily ingrained in the Falcons' culture and as the NFL dedicates the month of November to veterans and active duty members through the annual Salute to Service campaign, the Atlanta Falcons host a week of events to honor the military.
For Falcons head coach Dan Quinn, the team aspect the military embodies is what he connects most with, and what he portrays to his team on a daily basis.
"I've always connected with team," Quinn said of where his love for the armed force stems from. "I've been on a bunch of them in my life. Our armed forces do team and represent that to the highest level. I think so strong [of the military] that if I wasn't coaching, that's probably the area I would have chosen."
With the appreciation for the military rooted so deeply, players, coaches and staff take pride in giving back to the service men and women.
The Falcons kicked off their Salute to Service week with a Military Appreciation Night benefitting Toys for Tots Tots at the Official Team Store in Atlantic Station on Monday night. A bevy of other events follow, including ornament decorating with the Fort Stewart Spouses Club and a youth football clinic on on Fort Benning for the children of military families.
The week is capped off by the Salute to Service High School Game at a local high school playoff game on Friday night. The night will include Salute to Service items for the players, fans and many in-game elements to honor service men and women.
Atlanta's Salute to Service game will be Nov. 27 when the Falcons take on the Arizona Cardinals at the Georgia Dome.
