FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Servicemembers from Dobbins Air Reserve Base had a unique opportunity to team up with Atlanta Falcon rookies to partake in the Inaugural Rookie Olympics in Flowery Branch, Georgia June 1 for their training.
“I was so excited, just on the way there,” said Airman 1st Class Jeffrey Williams, 94th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief. “Then I got in there and saw all the banners. I’m a huge Falcons fan. This was amazing.”
After arriving at the Falcons training facility, the Reservists were partnered up with Falcons rookies. But not before goofing around, tossing footballs back forth playing catch.
“I was the first to pick up a football,” Williams said. “We just played pretty causal, as if they weren’t NFL players.”
The “Olympics” consisted of two-man - one rookie, one military member – teams going around from one station to another and competing against other teams in games ranging from tug-of-war and dizzy obstacle courses to water balloon tosses and ping pong.
Unfortunately, not every military member got to be partnered up. Some of the rookies had already been cut by this time, Williams said.
“I followed all of them, the rookies,” he explained. “I knew all of their stats and where they went to college.”
Fortunately, not being teamed up didn’t put a damper on the Airman’s day. Williams helped out with the competition by manning the limbo bar.
“This way, I got to interact with all the players,” Williams exclaimed.
On top of competing side-by-side with professional athletes, another highlight of the day was a surprise appearance by Head Coach Dan Quinn.
Master Sgt. Ronald Vehrs, 94th Maintenance Squadron avionics technician and Washington native, said he was a huge fan of the coach’s work in Seattle as the Seahawks’ defensive coordinator.
“I got to tell him how great of a job he did with Seattle,” Vehrs said. “He was a really personable guy. They were all really nice guys actually and had a great respect for the military.”
After the “Olympics” the players and Reservists were treated to lunch in the Falcons cafeteria, where they feasted on gourmet food and got to know each other on a personable level.
“Getting to talk to Coach Quinn and the players was my favorite part,” Vehrs said.
“Hands down lunch with the players was my favorite part,” Williams added. “Sitting and eating with Vic Beasley – our number one pick – was pretty cool. We sat and talked casually, even about stuff outside of football, like regular people.”
The opportunity, not only meant a lot for the servicemembers, but also the players.
“It was really nice to compete with the veterans,” said Jalen Collins, Atlanta Falcons rookie. “This experience was wonderful. They put in so much hard work in order for us to be able to do stuff like this.”
For Falcons rookie tight end Beau Gardner, the military holds a special place for him as two friends of his - Army Capt. Cory Jenkins and Marine Lance Cpl. Jeremiah Robinson- have paid the ultimate sacrifice. He also said his brother-in-law is currently serving.
“Today was awesome,” Gardner said. “I’ve never been able to do something like this for the military before. It meant a lot to share my time with those serving us. I’ve always had a great appreciation for what they do.”
The team was thrilled to be able to spend the day with those who place their lives on the line for freedom, the Falcons head coach said.
“Respect is important to me and I’m always talking to my team about it,” Quinn said. “We love and respect what you all do.”
To see photos from the day click here.