If you’ve been to an Atlanta Falcons game in recent years, there are two things you’ve come to expect:
A weird videotaped “call to action” from Samuel L. Jackson to make noise…and the deafening silence from a crowd that thinks it is loud, but is often drowned out by opposing fans. Well now it turns out, on those rare occasions when it seemed like Falcons fans were doing their part as the “12th man”, it may have really been a hidden “13th” man doing the dirty work.
The NFL is investigating whether the team faked crowd noise. And if you’re thinking that’s the most pathetic thing you’ve ever heard of in life, you’re right. Falcon logo lookalike/team owner Arthur Blank today called the allegations embarrassing. (Finally, a Falcons fan and I have found common ground!) He also told the media:
I think what we’ve done in 2013 and 2014 was wrong. Anything that affects the competitive balance and fairness on the field, we’re opposed to, as a league, as a club and as an owner. It’s obviously embarrassing but beyond embarrassing it doesn’t represent our culture and what we’re about.”
According to ESPN, the Falcons are accused of playing artificial noise in their dome during the opposing team’s huddles and play calls.
If this turns out to be true, (it’s totally true) the Falcons face a fine and the possible loss of a draft pick.
