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The Falcons are headed to the Super Bowl
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Can you believe the Falcons are going to the Super Bowl?

Last Sunday was an incredible day for us Falcons fans. Right out of the gate our birds played their hearts out against the Green Bay Packers. It seemed surreal when they won. Later that night we found out the Falcons will face off against the New England Patriots next Sunday, Feb. 5 in Super Bowl LI.

I found it interesting that the first Super Bowl was played on Jan. 5, 1969. The Green Bay Packers beat the Kansas City Chiefs at the L.A. Coliseum. Apparently, there was intense competition in the mid-1960’s between the National Football League (NFL) and the newly created American Football League (AFL). It was AFL founder Lamar Hunt who suggested the name “Super Bowl.”

Did you know the Pittsburgh Steelers have the most Super Bowl wins with six and the New England Patriots have the most appearances with soon to be nine?

Have you ever wondered how the Atlanta Falcons got their name? Apparently, back in 1965, when the Falcons were “born,” they held a contest for people to choose the name for the team. Julia Elliott, a teacher from Griffin, Georgia, suggested Falcons and her essay was chosen. She wrote in part, “The Falcon is proud and dignified, with great courage and fight. It never drops its prey. It’s deadly and has a great sporting tradition.”

That was certainly true last Sunday!

Super Bowl Sunday, which I have always thought should be changed to Super Bowl Saturday, is watched by millions. The halftime show is always greatly anticipated and usually has a big wow factor. Seeing how many people participate and how quickly they mobilize, perform and then exit the field is always stunning.

The performances vary — sometimes they are incredibly memorable for the wrong reasons. Who can forget the 2004 Janet Jackson performance when she had the “wardrobe malfunction?” It will be interesting to see Lady Gaga’s performance next Sunday — but I am really looking forward to hearing Luke Bryan sing the National Anthem.

Super Bowl Sunday is the second-largest food consumption day in the United States, second only to Thanksgiving Day. Perhaps not surprisingly, food has always been the highlight of the day for us.

I remember when our children were quite young, they were mainly interested in the fun game day food. One year I changed things up and did an Asian-themed meal — think teriyaki chicken wings, lettuce wraps, etc.

Although we are all big Asian eaters, it just didn’t go over well. Everybody agreed when it comes to football, the food needs to be the traditional fare — pizza, chili, Buffalo wings, ribs, hamburgers, chips, salsa, guacamole, etc.
Congratulations to our Atlanta Falcons! We will all be cheering you on for Super Bowl LI!

South Forsyth resident Adlen Robinson is author of “Home Matters: The Guide to Organizing Your Life and Home.” E-mail her at contact@adlenrobinson.com.