The Atlanta Falcons will hold several special ceremonies during Sunday's game against the Dallas Cowboys as a part of its Salute to Service.
The Falcons will host soldiers from Fort Benning, and prior to kickoff, Army Ranger Soldiers will rappel from the roof of Mercedes-Benz Stadium, which is 300 feet high, to deliver the game ball to AMB Group CEO Steve Cannon. Cannon will pass the game ball to the family of Marietta, GA native Marine Lance Cpl. Skip Wells who was a victim in the Chattanooga terrorist attack in 2015.
The team will also honor dozens of families from the T.A.P.S. (Tragedy Assistance Programs for Survivors) program. In addition, each player on the team will wear a decal with the initials a fallen hero on his helmet.
The Falcons held an entire week of actives in honor of the military, and they are the first team in the NFL to do so. They held a high school football game, visited a VA hospital, held a Vietnam Veterans brunch, among other events.
Here is more information about how the Falcons will honor the military during its Salute to Service Game Sunday:
Pre-game:
- Fort Benning Army Ranger Soldiers will rappel from Mercedes-Benz Stadium’s roof 300 feet in the air to deliver the honorary game ball to Steve Cannon, CEO, AMB Group. Cannon will then pass the game ball to the family of Marietta, GA native Marine Lance Cpl. Skip Wells who fell victim to an active shooter while stationed in Chattanooga, TN in 2015.
- The 2017 America’s Got Talent runner up, 10-year-old Angelica Hale, will perform the Andra Day song, ‘Rise Up.’
- Fort Stewart Soldier, Spc. Tiarra Correa will perform the National Anthem while T.A.P.S. (Tragedy Assistance Programs for Survivors) families will unfurl the American Flag during the National Anthem. The 64 T.A.P.S. families arrived Friday evening and were treated to a three night stay at Lake Lanier Islands Resort including dinners, activities, and an invitation to attend the Falcons walkthough on Saturday and meet with Coach Quinn.
- Prior to the coin toss, Falcons will pay tribute to Honorary Captain, Bonnie Carroll – Founder & President of T.A.P.S.
In Game:
- The Falcons will honor all 64 T.A.P.S. families in which every player will display the initials of a fallen hero on a helmet decal. Grady Jarrett and Matt Ryan’s “We Play For” story can be found on @atlantafalcons facebook. The game will also feature multiple special video features honoring each fallen hero throughout the game.
- At the conclusion of the 3rd quarter, Atlanta Falcons and AT&T have collaborated to donate $100,000 to the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), which offers support for grieving military families. AMB Group, CEO Steve Cannon and Bill Leahy, AT&T President – Southeast Region will present the check to Honorary Captain, Bonnie Carroll – Founder & President of T.A.P.S.
Half-time:
- The Fort Benning Honorary Color Guard will perform.
- The Falcons will recognize a veteran from every American conflict dating back to WWII on the field.
