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Falcons Beat Writer Throws Unprovoked Jab At Former Running Back
Falcons Beat Writer Throws Unprovoked Jab At Former Running Back originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Atlanta Journal-Constitution writer D. Orlando Ledbetter had a bit of an unprovoked jab ready to fire off at former Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman, and let it fly.
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Freeman tweeted, "The Atlanta Falcons didn't want me to be a starter, but I took that (Expletive). In response, Ledbetter would say, "Warrick Dunn would have made that block in the Super Bowl!"
Freeman's post itself wasn't about anything in particular, just a statement. The play that Ledbetter is referring to was in Super Bowl LI against the New England Patriots. Freeman failed to pick up a block from Patriots linebacker Dont'a Hightower on a third-and-one. Hightower would strip-sack Matt Ryan, and New England recovered the fumble with just over eight minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, up by 16 points.
Falcons QB Matt Ryan hands the ball off to RB Devonta Freeman against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The play can be argued until you're blue in the face, but no one knows if the Patriots would still score two touchdowns if the Falcons were to punt or score. Momentum was already swinging in New England's favor.
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After the missed block, Freeman's career ran out of steam, even though he would rush for 865 yards the following season for Atlanta. Fans continued to criticize and pick due to the bitterness surrounding the play, as Freeman was not even able to chip Hightower on the play.
Freeman would never get back into the good graces of Falcons fans because he would sign with the New Orleans Saints later on. In all honesty, this shouldn't have an effect on what he did on the football field. After all, Warrick Dunn spent the first half of his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but fans turned a blind eye because it was before his time with Atlanta and not afterwards.
The Falcons inducted Devonta Freeman into the team's ring of honor in 2017, but maybe, just maybe, if he had made that block, his name would be closer to a Super Bowl banner as well.
Related: Falcons Safety Jessie Bates' Ready To Ignite A New Atlanta Defensive Scheme
Related: What Is The Game Plan For The Atlanta Falcons To Finally Overtake The NFC South?
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
