I'm David Samuel.
I'm a native New Yorker, transplanted to the ATL in 2003.
Been a big fan and season ticket holder since 2008.
Here I am with my bride, Tana at the Dome. She's a huge fan as well.
Why am I a fan?
I connected with the Falcons in 2008, which was also the first season for the core of the current team: Coach Smith, GM Thomas Dimitrof and QB Matt Ryan. Michael Turner and Tony Gonzales followed the next season. So I've watched and grown with this team for the past 4 years, and have enjoyed every minute of it.The player I enjoy the most is the one whose jersey i sport at the games: Tony Gonzales! I have such high regard for Tony G because of the seriousness of his commitment, the no-frills way that he performs game after game, and because of the example his leadership sets for his team mates. He's a Hall of Fame player and he knows it and doesn't have anything to prove to anyone. So when the players see him arriving early and staying late at practice, they get a strong message!
I'm really pumped about the changes that were made this year, particularly the replacement of both the offensive and the defensive coordinators. The whole spirit of the team seems to have evolved again. There is a sense of quiet confidence that this is a team that knows how to execute.
When we were down to Carolina by 2 points with 39 seconds to go, 2 time outs left and the ball on our own 4 yard line, no one in the house was scared. No one doubted that we would win the game. Mattie Ice knew it. Julio and Roddy knew it. Tony G and Michael Turner knew it. Matt Bryant (who was about to win the game for us... again) definitely knew it and was totally prepared for it. From the sideline, Sean Weatherspoon and the tenacious defense, who had just delivered the ball to the Birds, knew it.
Hey, I knew it. And that's why I'm a fan.
