As an Atlanta native, I have never cheered for another team other than the Falcons. I root for other teams' failures when we have the chance to jump up in positional rankings, or if it involves us getting the home field advantage in the playoffs. What a long time it has been to be able to say this: The Atlanta Falcons are going to the Super Bowl.
I was nervous when the preseason approached. The article from espn.com, 2016 Atlanta Falcons game-by-game predictions, left me way less than optimistic. This is a screen cap from the end of the outlook, which broke down possibilities of each game of the Falcons' season:
ESPN predicted the Falcons would end the season with a measly record of 7-9, a losing season, and would not make it to a single game in the playoffs. Wow, how wrong they were:
The Falcons finished the regular season 11-5, gaining a first round bye-week in the playoffs. The games that were lost in the regular season did not end in huge point deficits; they stung to lose, because 3/5 of those games were lost within a 1 to 3 point range. What a nail-biting season it has been, and how unbelievably excited I am for Super Bowl Sunday to arrive.
Sure, in Atlanta you can, "drive on Peachtree Street, go to Peachtree Plaza, and order yourself a Peachtree Margarita." (see: That Boston Globe article that pissed off everyone in Atlanta) But guess what? Those margaritas are great. And we can enjoy them in our comfy weather down here in summer clothes, while we take in all of the beauty of our Georgia Dome and future Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Meanwhile you all up there look like you're smuggling snacks into a movie theater to keep the important parts of your body warm in below freezing temperatures:
Anyway, I'm not here to bash on Gisele's husband, the Patriots, or the fan base. I'm here to tell you that the Falcons deserve to win the Super Bowl.
This is the second appearance ever for the Falcons in the Super Bowl, the only other time being in 1999, with the outcome of the Falcons losing to the Broncos. Of all the professional Atlanta sports teams, we don't have the most impressive track record of winning the big games. One championship win overall, which belongs to the 1995 Braves. Atlanta deserves this Super Bowl victory, and with that, we win a new found hope.
Some avid supporters are mad that Falcons "fans" are coming out of the woodworks. I say, jump on our bandwagon, please! And don't hop off. We need more momentum. We need more people cheering on and hyping up the players, coaches, and all of those who want to see Tom Brady lose the big one.
Most of all, I want to hear Matty Ice say those magical words at the end of the Super Bowl, "I'm going to Disney World!" I'm so impressed by the mentality and ability of this year's team. They have persevered through so much together, and I applaud that they continue to fight and play for the brotherhood. Let's do this one more time, boys.
RISE UP.
