Marine Cpl. Todd Love and Army SFC Michael Schlitz were the honored guests of the Falcons at Friday's practice.
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -
The Atlanta Falcons is honoring two of Georgia's most critically wounded warriors. Marine Cpl. Todd Love and Army SFC Michael Schlitz were the honored guests of the Falcons at Friday's practice.
Love fulfilled a dream by holding the football for Atlanta Falcons placekicker Matt Bryant.
"I always joked around about holding the ball, but here we are. That was fun. It made my day," said Love.
Both Love and Schlitz are the victims of improvised explosive devices. Schlitz lost both arms and was burned over 85 percent of his body in Iraq.
"I can remember hearing the boom. I remember hitting the ground when I was thrown," said Schlitz.
Love was critically wounded while serving in Afghanistan.
"Lost both my legs immediately, and my hand was damaged severely because I had my metal detector out in front of me," said Love.
Two foundations are building smart homes for both war heroes in Georgia. The houses will be filled with custom-made furniture and special appliances and it can all be controlled with an iPad.
It's called "Building for America's Bravest" and now the Falcons have gotten in on the game.
"It's gonna be amazing. I can't wait to see what all they're gonna have. And it's gonna definitely make my life a lot easier," said Love.
"I pretty much break everything. So to have more of the things that have sensors set up. Or have something where, you know, it's kind of a more automatic thing or voice activated – that's huge for somebody like myself," Schlitz said.
Both Todd and Michael are being honored at a ceremony during Sunday's Falcons game in what the NFL is calling a "Salute To Service."
Building for America's Bravest is a joint effort by the Stephen Siller Tunnels to Towers Foundation and the Gary Sinise Foundation. They depend on donations to build the $500,000 homes.
Friday, May 17 2013 11:45 PM EDT2013-05-18 03:45:14 GMT
Atlanta Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff biked his way to work on Friday. Dimitroff rode from Buckhead to The Georgia Dome as part of "National Bike to Work Day."
Atlanta Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff biked his way to work on Friday. Dimitroff rode from Buckhead to The Georgia Dome as part of "National Bike to Work Day."
Monday, May 13 2013 7:19 PM EDT2013-05-13 23:19:20 GMT
Former Atlanta Falcons star Warrick Dunn is now a graduate of Emory University. He was awarded a business degree after completing the university's Executive MBA program.
Former Atlanta Falcons star Warrick Dunn is now a graduate of Emory University. He was awarded a business degree after completing the university's Executive MBA program.
Monday, May 13 2013 10:01 AM EDT2013-05-13 14:01:16 GMT
It's that time of year again! The Falcons Golf Tournament at the River Club in Suwanee is Monday, and it starts 10 a.m. Good Day Atlanta's Buck Lanford is in the tournament and he spoke with quarterback Matt Ryan.
It's that time of year again! The Falcons Golf Tournament at the River Club in Suwanee is Monday, and it starts 10 a.m. Good Day Atlanta's Buck Lanford is in the tournament and he spoke with quarterback Matt Ryan and Coach Mike Smith!
Tiger Woods says the "fried chicken" comment from Sergio Garcia was hurtful and inappropriate. Two weeks after they verbally sparred at The Players Championship, Woods say it's time to move on.
Sergio Garcia apologized to Tiger Woods on Wednesday for saying he would have "fried chicken" at dinner with his rival, a comment that Woods described as hurtful and inappropriate.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:59 AM EDT2013-05-22 12:59:07 GMT
Evan Gattis just keeps coming through for the Atlanta Braves.
Evan Gattis just keeps coming through for the Atlanta Braves. The rookie hit a two-out, pinch-hit homer in the ninth to send the game to extra innings and Freddie Freeman won it in the 10th, sending the Braves to their fifth straight win.
By DOUG FERGUSON AP Golf Writer Golf's governing bodies approved a new rule Tuesday that outlaws the putting stroke used by four of the last six major champions, going against two major golf...
By DOUG FERGUSON AP Golf Writer Golf's two governing bodies outlawed the anchored putting stroke used by four of the last six major champions, approving a new rule that starts in 2016 and urging the PGA...
Georgia baseball coach David Perno has resigned after a 12-year tenure that included three trips to the College World Series but fell on hard times in recent seasons.
Georgia baseball coach David Perno has resigned after a 12-year tenure that included three trips to the College World Series but fell on hard times in recent seasons.
Marine Cpl. Todd Love and Army SFC Michael Schlitz were the honored guests of the Falcons at Friday's practice.
