F.L. Stanton Elementary School

The students at M. Agnes Jones Elementary School shouted with excitement when the Atlanta Falcons players revealed themselves from behind the stage curtain in the school gymnasium.

“It was a big surprise for our scholars,” M. Agnes Jones Elementary School principal Robert Williams said. “It’s amazing because when you think about all the hard work the Falcons players have done to get to the stage where they are, it really inspires our children that they can reach their dreams. The interaction with them is invaluable.”

The Atlanta Falcons Hometown Huddles included teacher appreciation visits to F.L. Stanton Elementary School and W.J. Scott Elementary School, where Falcons players gave flowers to teachers. Players also visited Virginia-Highland Elementary School and M. Agnes Jones Elementary School, where they went through a series of skills and drills with students during a physical education class.

The students at M. Agnes Jones Elementary School played catch with Atlanta Falcons CEO Rich McKay, ran ladder drills with offensive lineman Chris Lindstrom, tried to do as many pushups and sit-ups as they could with receiver Mack Hollins and had fun going through a variety of drills with the other players inside the gym at different stations.

“It was phenomenal. There’s no better experience than getting to come here and the kids’ energy is just infectious,” Lindstrom said. “Giving back is something that the organization, and us as players, take a lot of pride in. There’s a lot of phenomenal things that people are doing around the community, and the community gives us (Falcons) so much that we are really thankful for the support the community gives us.”

Joining the Atlanta Falcons were a handful of students from North Atlanta High School who completed the most community service hours during the Summer of Service initiative. It was a fun and exciting day for the students, players and staff at the schools.

“Today’s event was awesome,” M. Agnes Jones Elementary School assistant principal Lindsey Rutledge said. “It was awesome to be able to interact with the hometown team. We always represent the Falcons on ‘Falcons Friday,’ so it’s awesome to lift the spirits of the kids. They actually got to do some activities with the players, and I think it was an exciting time.”