Media Support for the Falcons

Over the weekend I had the pleasure of watching our “hometown” Falcons beat the Seattle Seahawks by a score of 34-18 to become 12 and 2 (with 12 wins and two losses, for those who don’t do sports) to become the number one team in the NFC South division and the obtain the top spot making them the current best in football.

What I do not understand is their lack of national media coverage. Why can’t the number one professional football team in the nation get any home page substantial coverage?

Being that this is a local newspaper, we usually only promote things on a local level. We do not usually report on state affiliated issues aside from the occasional election result, but I thought that with my column I could make an exception.

On that note, the Falcons are having their third winning season under Coach Mike Smith. In Coach Smith’s debut, Atlanta’s 216 yards of total offense that was recorded in the first quarter was the highest total in over two decades for the Falcons. This was the beginning of the first season making it to the playoffs since 2004.

Last year, the Falcons did not make the playoffs, but did go 9-7 for the year finishing in second place. This was also the first time that the Falcons ever had back-to-back winning seasons. This is also the longest winning streak for the franchise in over 20 years.

This season, the Falcons have clinched the NFC South and a guaranteed playoff spot with their win Sunday. They were led by Quarterback Matt Ryan with 174 yards, and Michael Turner with 25 carries.

Also aiding the their wining season are wide receiver Roddy White, Tony Gonzalez Johnathan Babeineaux, Michael Jenkins, Jason Snelling, Brent Grimes and Matt Bryant of the kicking team who has gone 15 for 15 since week 6.

All of these players are listed in the top of the stats in the NFL, so why when I open my internet browser I get an overflow of the Mannings, Micheal Vick (which is ok by me) and various other big names around the league.

All I am asking is that the most prominent media outlets recognize a winning season, a great young team that has come together and their story of the playoffs.

Monday morning I expected to come into a headline like “Falcons Clinch Playoff Spot by Defeating Seahawks.” But, no. Nothing of the glorious event in my book.

The local media, both the Atlanta Jounral and the Macon Telegraph did report on the game, and for that I am thankful.

One of the papers commended Arthur Blank, owner of the Falcons on having a great season and for making such a remarkable recovery after the Vick era. Arthur was on hand Sunday, in his usual spot on the sidelines to congratulate the men on their win and playoff achievement.

Ok, so I’ve gotten to rant a bit on these here pages, and I would like to ask everyone, football fan or not to watch the last few games of the season, and support the Falcons.

A winning season is that much better with fans, and I guarantee that they will win you over just as they did me. And if any of you reading this know the owner or a “mover and shaker” of the national internet publisher, ask them to give the Falcons from right here in Georgia a headline or two. We deserve to be on the map with the Mannings.

Thanks and Merry Christmas! ~Hannah