Latest news with #AtlantaFalcons'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Bijan Robinson wants to play Olympic flag football: 'I would love to show my skill set on that type of stage'
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — It's still very much an open question which NFL players will suit up for Team USA in the flag football competition at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. But if he makes the team — and if his coach allows it — Bijan Robinson is ready to serve. 'You always want to play for your country,' Robinson said Monday at the Atlanta Falcons' training camp, 'and I would love to show my skill set on that type of stage.' Advertisement With the news last month that NFL owners approved players' participation in Olympic flag football, speculation has run wild about the possibilities of, say, Derrick Henry crushing a bunch of Frenchmen or Justin Jefferson mossing the entire nation of Japan. Now, as NFL players return to camp from their offseasons, many are embracing the idea of possible Olympic glory. 'It's going to come down to our schedule and where it lies, and if they even let us go,' Robinson said. 'But I would love to play in that game if given the opportunity.' Several players, including Patrick Mahomes and Matthew Stafford, have already publicly distanced themselves from the idea of playing flag football. Robinson, however, seems prepared to embrace pretty much anything, including his role as an ambassador of the game. Advertisement Over the weekend, he took in the Champions League final in Germany — a precursor to Atlanta's appearance in the NFL's International Series later this year — and found time to check out some of his potential competition at a flag football camp. 'They had all these kids in Germany playing flag football, and playing well,' Robinson said. 'So that made me happy, to see they are very enthusiastic about it.' Robinson even got in the mix himself, chasing down some players, and came away impressed with the German players' speed — 'They could be really good in the next two years when the Olympics comes.' When asked if he got juked, he politely smiled, as if to say, Are you serious? Advertisement As a high schooler in Arizona, Robinson grew up playing flag football in the offseason, and he noted how popular the sport is across the country. Which brings up another point in the NFL players-suiting-up debate — there's already a pretty robust flag football infrastructure in place. Darrell Doucette III, for instance, has led the United States to the past four global flag football championships, and isn't quite as keen as everyone else that the NFL is thundering onto his turf. 'The flag guys deserve their opportunity. That's all we want,' Doucette told the Washington Post last month. 'We felt like we worked hard to get the sport to where it's at, and then when the NFL guys spoke about it, it was like we were getting kicked to the side.' Bijan Robinson has played plenty of flag football, including at the 2025 NFL Pro Bowl Games. (Photo by) (Perry Knotts via Getty Images) Robinson, for his part, takes a diplomatic stance on the matter. 'Obviously, there's a lot of great flag football players out here, and that's all they play,' he said. 'They're very specific. You have guys that can be running with the football and they can get this low to the ground—' at this he stops and crouches just inches above the practice turf— 'just not get touched. No NFL player is doing that, or trying to do that, at least.' Advertisement There's a whole lot of football — three full seasons, to start — between now and the 2028 Olympics. Robinson may or may not get his wish to join the team, but he sounds interested to watch where the sport goes next, regardless of his involvement. 'I'm just excited to see how much it grows up to that point,' he said. 'If (head coach) Raheem (Morris) lets me go, I'll do it.'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Bijan Robinson wants to play Olympic flag football: 'I would love to show my skillset on that type of stage'
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — It's still very much an open question which NFL players will suit up for Team USA in the flag football competition at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. But if he makes the team — and if his coach allows it — Bijan Robinson is ready to serve. 'You always want to play for your country,' Robinson said Monday at the Atlanta Falcons' training camp, 'and I would love to show my skillset on that type of stage.' Advertisement With the news last month that NFL owners approved players' participation in Olympic flag football, speculation has run wild about the possibilities of, say, Derrick Henry crushing a bunch of Frenchmen or Justin Jefferson mossing the entire nation of Japan. Now, as NFL players return to camp from their offseasons, many are embracing the idea of possible Olympic glory. 'It's going to come down to our schedule and where it lies, and if they even let us go,' Robinson said. 'But I would love to play in that game if given the opportunity.' Several players, including Patrick Mahomes and Matthew Stafford, have already publicly distanced themselves from the idea of playing flag football. Robinson, however, seems prepared to embrace pretty much anything, including his role as an ambassador of the game. Advertisement Over the weekend, he took in the Champions League final in Germany — a precursor to Atlanta's appearance in the NFL's International Series later this year — and found time to check out some of his potential competition at a flag football camp. 'They had all these kids in Germany playing flag football, and playing well,' Robinson said. 'So that made me happy, to see they are very enthusiastic about it.' Robinson even got in the mix himself, chasing down some players, and came away impressed with the German players' speed — 'they could be really good in the next two years when the Olympics comes.' When asked if he got juked, he politely smiled, as if to say, Are you serious? As a high schooler in Arizona, Robinson grew up playing flag football in the offseason, and he noted how popular the sport is across the country. Which brings up another point in the NFL players-suiting-up debate — there's already a pretty robust flag football infrastructure in place. Darrell Doucette III, for instance, has led the United States to the past four global flag football championships, and isn't quite as keen as everyone else that the NFL is thundering onto his turf. Bijan Robinson has played plenty of flag football, including at the 2025 NFL Pro Bowl Games. (Photo by) (Perry Knotts via Getty Images) 'The flag guys deserve their opportunity. That's all we want,' Doucette told the Washington Post last month. 'We felt like we worked hard to get the sport to where it's at, and then when the NFL guys spoke about it, it was like we were getting kicked to the side.' Advertisement Robinson, for his part, takes a diplomatic stance on the matter. 'Obviously, there's a lot of great flag football players out here, and that's all they play,' he said. 'They're very specific. You have guys that can be running with the football and they can get this low to the ground—' at this he stops and crouches just inches above the practice turf— 'just not get touched. No NFL player is doing that, or trying to do that, at least.' There's a whole lot of football — three full seasons, to start — between now and the 2028 Olympics. Robinson may or may not get his wish to join the team, but he sounds interested to watch where the sport goes next, regardless of his involvement. 'I'm just excited to see how much it grows up to that point,' he said. 'If (head coach) Raheem (Morris) lets me go, I'll do it.'
Hamilton Spectator
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Entering second season, Falcons' Michael Penix Jr. finding his voice as a leader, starting QB
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — As Michael Penix Jr. is entering his first full season as the Atlanta Falcons' starting quarterback, he is learning what it takes to be a leader in the NFL. Penix got some experience as a team leader on Tuesday when the Falcons held their first organized team activities. The Falcons began phase three of the offseason by getting out on the field and doing individual drills and a few non-contact team periods. 'I'm excited,' Penix said after two hours of outdoor practice. 'We get to be out there against the defense and work real football. I can't wait for this season.' Penix, who was drafted eighth overall by Atlanta in 2024, started the Falcons' final three regular-season games and completed 58 of 100 passes for 737 yards with three touchdown passes and three interceptions in those starts. Penix described his growth over his first full offseason knowing he is the starting quarterback. 'The one that I want to point (to) is just connecting with the guys,' Penix said. 'I feel like I've done a lot better with connecting with everybody around the team. Not just offensive guys but defensive guys as well. Whether that's just around the facility eating lunch or going out and playing golf with some of them. Don't ask about my golf game.' Second-year Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said Penix is 'finding his voice' as a leader. 'When you take over that quarterback spot, there's a certain humility about playing the position,' Morris said. 'Then it (comes) a certain confidence about playing the position. Eventually it turns into a little bit of an arrogance about playing the position where it's non-negotiable. We're not there yet. I don't think we will be for a little bit, but I think he's at the mode of where he's starting to get that confidence to be able to figure out how to get to that point.' Wide receiver Darnell Mooney, who is also in his second year with the Falcons after signing a three-year contract ahead of the 2024 season, said Penix has done a good job of undertaking a leadership role so far. 'I think he's been doing well owning that he's the guy and that he's (going to) be the guy,' Mooney said. 'He's doing a good job showing up every day. He's more quiet and can play around a little bit but he's really just a chill guy.' Penix had a recent conversation with former quarterback Matt Ryan, a 2024 Falcons Ring of Honor inductee. 'I spoke to Matt Ryan and had a good conversation with him (about) learning how to be a pro each and every day and how his process went,' Penix said. 'I feel like he definitely gave me some good things. Obviously he knows this is my second year coming into it (and) this is my first year starting. He talked to me about his times during that time and how he got to where he ended up.' ___ AP NFL:
San Francisco Chronicle
27-05-2025
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
Entering second season, Falcons' Michael Penix Jr. finding his voice as a leader, starting QB
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — As Michael Penix Jr. is entering his first full season as the Atlanta Falcons' starting quarterback, he is learning what it takes to be a leader in the NFL. Penix got some experience as a team leader on Tuesday when the Falcons held their first organized team activities. The Falcons began phase three of the offseason by getting out on the field and doing individual drills and a few non-contact team periods. 'I'm excited,' Penix said after two hours of outdoor practice. 'We get to be out there against the defense and work real football. I can't wait for this season.' Penix, who was drafted eighth overall by Atlanta in 2024, started the Falcons' final three regular-season games and completed 58 of 100 passes for 737 yards with three touchdown passes and three interceptions in those starts. Penix described his growth over his first full offseason knowing he is the starting quarterback. 'The one that I want to point (to) is just connecting with the guys,' Penix said. 'I feel like I've done a lot better with connecting with everybody around the team. Not just offensive guys but defensive guys as well. Whether that's just around the facility eating lunch or going out and playing golf with some of them. Don't ask about my golf game.' Second-year Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said Penix is 'finding his voice' as a leader. 'When you take over that quarterback spot, there's a certain humility about playing the position,' Morris said. 'Then it (comes) a certain confidence about playing the position. Eventually it turns into a little bit of an arrogance about playing the position where it's non-negotiable. We're not there yet. I don't think we will be for a little bit, but I think he's at the mode of where he's starting to get that confidence to be able to figure out how to get to that point." Wide receiver Darnell Mooney, who is also in his second year with the Falcons after signing a three-year contract ahead of the 2024 season, said Penix has done a good job of undertaking a leadership role so far. 'I think he's been doing well owning that he's the guy and that he's (going to) be the guy,' Mooney said. 'He's doing a good job showing up every day. He's more quiet and can play around a little bit but he's really just a chill guy." Penix had a recent conversation with former quarterback Matt Ryan, a 2024 Falcons Ring of Honor inductee. 'I spoke to Matt Ryan and had a good conversation with him (about) learning how to be a pro each and every day and how his process went,' Penix said. 'I feel like he definitely gave me some good things. Obviously he knows this is my second year coming into it (and) this is my first year starting. He talked to me about his times during that time and how he got to where he ended up.'
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Entering second season, Falcons' Michael Penix Jr. finding his voice as a leader, starting QB
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — As Michael Penix Jr. is entering his first full season as the Atlanta Falcons' starting quarterback, he is learning what it takes to be a leader in the NFL. Penix got some experience as a team leader on Tuesday when the Falcons held their first organized team activities. Advertisement The Falcons began phase three of the offseason by getting out on the field and doing individual drills and a few non-contact team periods. 'I'm excited,' Penix said after two hours of outdoor practice. 'We get to be out there against the defense and work real football. I can't wait for this season.' Penix, who was drafted eighth overall by Atlanta in 2024, started the Falcons' final three regular-season games and completed 58 of 100 passes for 737 yards with three touchdown passes and three interceptions in those starts. Penix described his growth over his first full offseason knowing he is the starting quarterback. Advertisement 'The one that I want to point (to) is just connecting with the guys,' Penix said. 'I feel like I've done a lot better with connecting with everybody around the team. Not just offensive guys but defensive guys as well. Whether that's just around the facility eating lunch or going out and playing golf with some of them. Don't ask about my golf game.' Second-year Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said Penix is 'finding his voice' as a leader. 'When you take over that quarterback spot, there's a certain humility about playing the position,' Morris said. 'Then it (comes) a certain confidence about playing the position. Eventually it turns into a little bit of an arrogance about playing the position where it's non-negotiable. We're not there yet. I don't think we will be for a little bit, but I think he's at the mode of where he's starting to get that confidence to be able to figure out how to get to that point." Wide receiver Darnell Mooney, who is also in his second year with the Falcons after signing a three-year contract ahead of the 2024 season, said Penix has done a good job of undertaking a leadership role so far. Advertisement 'I think he's been doing well owning that he's the guy and that he's (going to) be the guy,' Mooney said. 'He's doing a good job showing up every day. He's more quiet and can play around a little bit but he's really just a chill guy." Penix had a recent conversation with former quarterback Matt Ryan, a 2024 Falcons Ring of Honor inductee. 'I spoke to Matt Ryan and had a good conversation with him (about) learning how to be a pro each and every day and how his process went,' Penix said. 'I feel like he definitely gave me some good things. Obviously he knows this is my second year coming into it (and) this is my first year starting. He talked to me about his times during that time and how he got to where he ended up.' ___ AP NFL:
