Hawks send-off Super Bowl-bound Falcons at Friday's game

ATLANTA — The Atlanta Falcons run to the Super Bowl has energized the city of Atlanta like never before.

Before the Falcons head to Houston, the Atlanta Hawks honored the team in a one-of-a-kind pregame ceremony Friday during their matchup with the Washington Wizards.

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The Falcons earned their second trip to the Super Bowl in franchise history with a 44-21 win over the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship Game.

"Our franchise has always believed that sports has the unique ability to rally and unite a city and there is no greater example than the pride our city has exhibited around the Falcons and their amazing run to the Super Bowl," Hawks CEO Steve Koonin said. "Coach Quinn and the Falcons' theme of brotherhood has infected our city and we are proud to honor and extend our genuine well wishes to the team before they leave for Houston."

The Falcons players were called out onto the court at half time.

“We are humbled and honored by the overwhelming amount of support that Coach Quinn and the Falcons have received,” said Steve Cannon, CEO of AMB Group, LLC. “This team truly embodies the word Brotherhood and our fans are a huge part of it. The Hawks embrace that same vision and we appreciate the support from Steve Koonin, Coach Budenholzer and the entire team.”

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In addition to the  festivities, Friday’s game featured two of the hottest teams in the Eastern Conference. Since Jan. 1, the Hawks sport the best record in the Eastern Conference, and 2nd in the NBA, at 10-3, while the Wizards have the third-best record in the conference in the New Year at 9-4.

At halftime, hometown hip-hop artist Lil Yachty performed.

Cox Media Group