Macon followers discover enjoyable at Falcons watch occasion – The Macon Melody

The Atlanta Falcons introduced a gameday expertise to Macon Nov. 2, internet hosting a watch occasion in downtown Macon at historic Luther Williams Field for the Falcons’ tilt in opposition to the New England Patriots on Sunday.

A pair hundred followers drifted into the house of the Macon Bacon close to Carolyn Crayton Park as early as 11 a.m. toting tenting chairs, blankets and loads of red-and-black garb to observe the sport. They had been greeted by energetic music, meals vehicles, exercise cubicles and the mascots for each the Falcons and the Macon Bacon — that’s Freddie Falcon and Kevin Bacon, for the uninitiated.

There was a football-tossing “target practice” sales space, a spot for face-painting, a set of cornhole boards, a giant-cup pong set and extra. Kevin and Freddie wandered the grounds, making mates and enemies amongst followers as of us sipped Falcon-red cranberry concoctions from Macon Bacon-branded cups.

But maybe the most important draw of the occasion apart from the sport itself was former Falcons fullback Ovie Mughelli, who was in attendance signing autographs and taking footage with followers.

The two-time Pro Bowl honoree regarded like he might nonetheless take the sphere with the Falcons had he felt prefer it, however Mughelli had simply as a lot enjoyable assembly and greeting Maconites on the outfield grass.

“It’s a ton of fun to get together and watch a game like this,” Mughelli stated. “I love to drive down here a couple hours and see the fans in a different part of Georgia; it’s really fun to see people who care about the Falcons.”

The bruising-back-turned-fervent-fan blended proper in with the Falcons devoted, smiling and laughing whereas he signed autographs earlier than the sport however paying shut consideration to the large display as soon as Atlanta took the sphere.

“Every player gets a little upset or irritated the year they get let go, but once you get over that and you realize it was all business, you become a fan, usually of the team you played with,” Mughelli stated. “It’s fun to celebrate and find a collective, so coming to an event like this is fantastic. I’m so proud of the Falcons creating something like this where fans can congregate.”

It was a enjoyable ambiance due to each Mughelli and the mascots. Before the sport, the previous met followers whereas the latter made of us snicker.

Freddie was the extra mischievous of the 2 mascots, usually plopping himself into followers’ vacant seats a lot to the delight of bystanders. He had a smooth aspect, although, greeting little tykes with heat and even serving to one teen toss a soccer round. Kevin obtained in on the mascot antics as properly, staring in mock-horror at followers who had bacon-topped fries … or as a lot horror as a mascot’s static face can have, anyway.

There had been dance-offs — one fan broke it down properly sufficient to win a miniature memento helmet — and deep-fried delicacies of every kind.

Things had been a bit much less jovial as soon as the sport kicked off, because the Falcons let the Patriots rating pretty rapidly to open the competition. Atlanta drove downfield not lengthy after, although, and when receiver Drake London reeled within the first of his three landing grabs on the day, the Falcons crowd celebrated as one in Macon.

Though Atlanta ultimately misplaced a heartbreaker 24-23, the followers had power all through. Another excessive level got here when Atlanta’s two first-round draft picks, Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr., mixed on a play that gave the Falcons a fumble and ultimately led to a rating.

Mughelli cheered (and sometimes groaned) proper together with them. He even talked soccer with followers as the sport went on, discussing schemes — just like the Falcons’ propensity for the Pistol formation — and gamers.

“One of those guys (in a fan group) said, ‘Look how the Patriots are using their fullback.’ He was right, I wish the Falcons would use a fullback,” Mughelli stated. “I just love talking about football as a fan, with other fans.”

Coming from the person who was arguably the best fullback to ever placed on a Falcons uniform, it made sense. But placing his pro-fullback biases apart, Mughelli nonetheless cherished Bijan Robinson and the Falcons’ run sport. After all, he was as soon as a serious a part of it.

“I was in the backfield with Michael Turner, who I think is up there in terms of all-time great Falcons running backs,” Mughelli stated. “We talked about fullbacks, after which operating backs, and after some time these guys acknowledged me.

“We just got to laughing it up. It was a great time.”

Even some non-Falcons followers made it out to the watch occasion in downtown Macon. One couple wore matching he/she Steelers T-shirts. Jerseys for the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs is also noticed. 

Even some Patriots gear popped up, although these followers properly flew below the radar for probably the most half.

“I didn’t wear my jersey, but I’m a Patriots fan. We gotta lay low,” one New England fan may very well be overheard saying.