DeKalb County

Falcons honored across north Georgia on Friday

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — You might have called it Friday. In DeKalb County, they called it Atlanta Falcons Day. CEO Michael Thurmond dubbed it that, in honor of the Dirty Birds, who are just two days out from playing in the Super Bowl in Houston.

County officials threw a pep rally at midday to celebrate the rapidly approaching game, and DeKalb County employees met up at the Manuel J. Maloof Center in downtown Decatur. The energy was through the roof.

“It is off the chain! Falcons rise up! We are going to the Super Bowl, and we are going to bring the trophy home!” cheered county employee Cassandra Mouzon.

The place was packed. People dressed in red and black were dancing, cheering and waving flags. A balloon arch decorated the stage. Employees ate hamburgers and hot dogs.

"We in DeKalb County are supporting the Falcons all the way!" shouted County Commissioner Kathie Gannon, over the boisterous crowd and loud music.

Thurmond said the employees urged him to honor the Falcons with the day's designation.

“It’s a great day in DeKalb. We are so pumped up. We’re ready to go and win the Super Bowl on Sunday,” he said. “We’re just coming together and just bringing folks together across the county in support of our Falcons.”

DCTV editor Debra Jones had a message for the Patriots’ quarterback.

“I want to tell Tom Brady he was getting choked up during the press conference the other day, but right now, for that deflate, it’s time to pay the piper,” she teased.

We saw jerseys from Jones to Ryan to White. Georgia state Rep. Dewey McClain wore a Falcons vest that had his first name on it. McClain was a linebacker on the team from 1976 to 1980.

“This is our 51st year of being in the system, our oldest player wore number 51, and this is Super Bowl 51, so it is our time!” he cheered.