Where are my Falcons?

By Joe Cooper

Oh where, oh where have my Falcons gone?  Oh where, oh where can they be?

Quick call the authorities, the National Guard, the FBI, the CIA, call someone, anyone.  My Falcons are missing.

I sat in anticipation as the draft was going waiting for our pick.  I knew for sure we would get a Marcus Cotton, Andre Bruce, Reggie Kelly or a Bruce Pickens type player with our first pick.  Imagine my horror and dismay as the Falcons selected DeAngelo Hall with their first pick and was in further shock when the Falcons made a trade and selected Michael Jenkins in the first round.  This is not Falcon like.

Oh sure, the Falcons have made good picks in the past.  Picks such as Michael Vick and Deion Sanders but I can’t remember a draft that looks as good as this one dies from top to bottom.

Even more astonishing is the fact that several publications are grading the Falcons’ draft an A and are saying it is one of the best drafts of the year.

Come on.  I can’t have this kind of draft.  I mean the traditional talk about the draft the following Monday was positive not the usual what in the world were they thinking talk. 

Even in the later rounds the Falcons made solid picks bringing in such players as Chad Lavalais who wrecked havoc in the SEC and Quincy Wilson who some say has the potential to be the next Jamal Anderson.

This can’t be.  My Falcons have been kidnapped and replaced by a team that knows how to run a draft.  Let me know, where are my Falcons.

May’s Fan-atic's Meeting

We will have a meeting in April and it will be at Corky’s near Gwinnett Place Mall on May 10th at 7:00 p.m. 

No guest speaker is announced at this time but we are working on it.

Directions to Corky’s:

Phone Number: 770-564-8666

From I-85N

·         I-85N to Exit 104 (Pleasant Hill Road.

·         Take a right and proceed approx. 6/10^th of a mile.

·         Turn right onto Sweetwater Road.

·         Corky’s will be on the right

From I-85S

·         I-85S to Exit 104 (Pleasant Hill Road.

·         Take a left and proceed approx. 6/10^th of a mile.

·         Turn right onto Sweetwater Road.

·         Corky’s will be on the right

To my Guardian Angel

I wish to add a special note to my guardian angel, who found my digital camera at the Dome Sunday and returned it to me personally on Tuesday  afternoon. I left it in a cup holder in the stands on Saturday afternoon at the end of the Draft Day Fest.

She was at the Dome Sunday helping some of her students audition for the Atlanta Falcon Cheerleaders when she found it.

It is very reassuring that we have honest people out there. In this day and age you always think the worst, and I though I would never see the great pictures of the club members, runners, players, cheerleaders, and the Dome ever again.

I thank you again, you are my hero and someone I can look up to you for the great character that you have demonstrated by your selfless act to return a valuable pictures and camera to me.

Chuck Ruffino

Membership Chairman

Falcon Fan-atics

Atlanta Falcons Draft Day Fan Fest

and 5K Road Race

Many Falcon Fan-atics attended both the 5K Road Race on the morning of Saturday, April 24^th and the Draft Day Fan Fest, which followed the road race. The Fan-atics staffed a tent in the Orange parking lot, just outside the Dome, during the festivities and offered information and literature about the Fan-atics to the Atlanta Falcon fans. We made a very visible presence in our Falcon Fan-atic shirts and we had a great time socializing with our fellow Fan-atics.

     The race was sponsored by the Atlanta Falcons to benefit the Atlanta Falcons Youth Foundation and over 900 men, women and children came to race. Many more fans came to cheer them on.  Prior to the Road Race, we volunteers registered new runners and distributed pre-registration numbers.  Once registration was finished, we moved into the Dome and staffed the finish line to cheer the runners in and we provided them with their finishing order numbers.

     After the race we shared with the runners and fans in the festivities inside the Dome. There were many activities, such as passing, catching, and kicking for both the kids as well as for the “big kids,” like us. Football and media celebrities were there and signed autographs for the fans.

     Progress of the draft and the draft picks were telecast on huge screens inside the Dome and everyone waited anxiously to see which players were picked to fill the Atlanta Falcon needs for the 2004 season. 

    It was indeed a great day for being an Atlanta Falcon fan and a Falcon Fan-atic.

Spotlight on a Falcon Fan-atic 

Gia Thompson is one of our youngest, most enthusiastic and distant Fan-atics. She became a Falcon fan about a year and a half ago. She said “When she heard about this young, talented Michael Vick, I had to become a fan. When I saw him play I felt like I was hit by lightning because I love sports and when this guy plays he’s worth spending money on to watch.”

Gia is a struggling college student who was born and continues to live in Baltimore, Maryland, but as often as she can, she sacrifices her still limited income to come to Atlanta and see the games. Soon after becoming an Atlanta Falcon/Michael Vick fan, Gia discovered she can join the Fan-atics and get newsletters keeping her abreast of what was happening.

As well as studying, Gia works with a Youth Opportunity Center that helps young people, like herself, who are in poverty stricken neighborhoods. When school ends, she plans to also work a night job. It is no surprise that with all of the studying and working, one of Gia’s hobbies is sleeping; others are watching movies, playing pool, and watching Sportcenter. As soon as finances permit, Gia plans on getting satellite TV, so when she cannot get to the Atlanta games, she can watch them on TV.

One of Gia’s best memories is when Vick came back and the team started to jell and again started to play exciting football. Among Gia’s favorite players are Michael Vick, Keion Carpenter, Warrick Dunn, Brian Finneran, and Peerless Price. If Vick and the team can stay healthy, Gia looks forward to a great season and notes how much better the team plays when Vick is in there.

Gia has a 14 year old sister, Joi and two brothers, Frank 27 and Tyler 9 and currently lives with her father and uncle as she saves every dollar to get through college.

I know we all look forward to seeing Gia at a pre-game tailgate party the next time she makes it to a game in Atlanta.

Renewal Deadline Extended

Due to  some late arriving membership dues and other factors, the membership renewal deadline has been extended to May 31^st.

Be sure to get your dues in and don’t miss out on offers made to Fan-atics only.

Don’t Stop Now

Keep those articles coming.  It is not easy producing a newsletter each and every month without input from others.

Send in those articles.  They can be about anything you feel like.  Try to keep them Falcon oriented and ahem clean.

Articles could include road trips to see the Falcons, meeting a Falcon player or coach, going to a Falcon sponsored event, funny articles, member spotlights, tailgate recipes, etc. 

You get the idea.  Send all material to falcon_fanatics@yahoo.com.

Help me bring a quality newsletter to our membership each month.

Carolina Bound

Work is beginning on the annual trip to see the Falcons play in Charlotte.  In order to get the best rates, I need to get a number of people that want to go on the trip.

If you are interested in going to the Carolina game, Ocrober 3^rd, please send an e-mail to falcon_fanatics@yahoo.com indicating the number of rooms and tickets desired. 

Also note that the game is a 4 PM start so if you want to stay in Charlotte Saturday night as well, indicate so on your e-mail.

Moving/Change of Address or E-mail

If any member has a change of address or e-mail or is planning to have a change of address, please let Joe Cooper know so he can update the records so that he can make sure you continue to get your newsletter.  Thank you.

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