By Ryan Frye
As a football fan, you learn quickly that the NFL is a cold, remorseless place. No matter how much a player has meant to a franchise, as soon as their salary outweighs their production, they’re released. There's no considering sentimental value, and I'm not saying that there should be, but to watch a once great player get thrown out like yesterday’s garbage is always tough to stomach.
On Friday, we saw another harsh example of this when the Atlanta Falcons released their wide receiver of eleven years, Roddy White.
As a football fan, you learn quickly that the NFL is a cold, remorseless place. No matter how much a player has meant to a franchise, as soon as their salary outweighs their production, they’re released. There's no considering sentimental value, and I'm not saying that there should be, but to watch a once great player get thrown out like yesterday’s garbage is always tough to stomach.
On Friday, we saw another harsh example of this when the Atlanta Falcons released their wide receiver of eleven years, Roddy White.
The Falcons drafted White 27th overall in the 2005 NFL Draft.
In his first two seasons, White struggled to adjust to the NFL coming out of a smaller school in UAB, largely due to his now admitted immaturity. In fact, in those two seasons, he failed to cumulatively reach 1,000 yards. Many were ready to label him a bust and suggested his time in Atlanta and even in the league may be short-lived.
In 2007, though, White was one of the few bright spots on a team overflowing with turmoil. Even with Michael Vick all but gone and Bobby Petrino soon to follow, White experienced a breakout year. He started 15 of 16 games, had 83 receptions for 1,202 yards. And statistically, he'd never look back.
White’s breakout in 2007 would enable him to become a cornerstone piece for the new regime of General Manager Thomas Dimitroff and head coach Mike Smith. These two men would quickly find White a new franchise quarterback, too, in Boston College’s Matt Ryan.
This new recipe resulted in the greatest string of success in Atlanta Falcons’ franchise history. Five straight winning seasons, including a trip to the 2012 NFC Championship game.
Over this stretch, White would become one of the most decorated, and beloved, players in team history. Not just with his production but with his tenacious, competitive spirit. He possessed a swagger and confidence that permeated throughout the locker room. He was the Atlanta Falcons.
Occasionally, that confidence turned into overconfidence, and White would stick his foot in his mouth. But that’s because Roddy strived for he and his team to the be best. And more often than not, even if the team couldn't back it up, he could.
The past few seasons have been rough. The team would have a combined ten wins in 2013 and 2014, leading to the departure of Mike Smith. 2015 would see some improvement under new Head Coach Dan Quinn, but ultimately, they still only netted seven wins.
Coinciding with the team's decline was the decline of Roddy White. Not only was the team not the same after 2012, but it became increasingly apparent that Roddy’s best days were behind him. While he may have still been the same endearing, lovable personality, he was physically not the same player.
Friday may have marked Roddy’s final day as a member of the Atlanta Falcons roster, but he'll forever be a Falcon. His legacy will live on through the countless memories he's given Falcons fans, his tremendous charity work, and even through Julio Jones who White mentored upon his heralded arrival in the NFL.
In his first two seasons, White struggled to adjust to the NFL coming out of a smaller school in UAB, largely due to his now admitted immaturity. In fact, in those two seasons, he failed to cumulatively reach 1,000 yards. Many were ready to label him a bust and suggested his time in Atlanta and even in the league may be short-lived.
In 2007, though, White was one of the few bright spots on a team overflowing with turmoil. Even with Michael Vick all but gone and Bobby Petrino soon to follow, White experienced a breakout year. He started 15 of 16 games, had 83 receptions for 1,202 yards. And statistically, he'd never look back.
White’s breakout in 2007 would enable him to become a cornerstone piece for the new regime of General Manager Thomas Dimitroff and head coach Mike Smith. These two men would quickly find White a new franchise quarterback, too, in Boston College’s Matt Ryan.
This new recipe resulted in the greatest string of success in Atlanta Falcons’ franchise history. Five straight winning seasons, including a trip to the 2012 NFC Championship game.
Over this stretch, White would become one of the most decorated, and beloved, players in team history. Not just with his production but with his tenacious, competitive spirit. He possessed a swagger and confidence that permeated throughout the locker room. He was the Atlanta Falcons.
Occasionally, that confidence turned into overconfidence, and White would stick his foot in his mouth. But that’s because Roddy strived for he and his team to the be best. And more often than not, even if the team couldn't back it up, he could.
The past few seasons have been rough. The team would have a combined ten wins in 2013 and 2014, leading to the departure of Mike Smith. 2015 would see some improvement under new Head Coach Dan Quinn, but ultimately, they still only netted seven wins.
Coinciding with the team's decline was the decline of Roddy White. Not only was the team not the same after 2012, but it became increasingly apparent that Roddy’s best days were behind him. While he may have still been the same endearing, lovable personality, he was physically not the same player.
Friday may have marked Roddy’s final day as a member of the Atlanta Falcons roster, but he'll forever be a Falcon. His legacy will live on through the countless memories he's given Falcons fans, his tremendous charity work, and even through Julio Jones who White mentored upon his heralded arrival in the NFL.
“Roddy is one of the greatest players to ever put on a Falcons uniform, and even more importantly he is a man of tremendous character that I and my entire family have profound personal affection and respect for, I have developed a special relationship with him over the years, my children have grown admiring him and our partners and I all share a debt of gratitude for what he has meant to us and our team. Truly, there are no words to adequately express my thanks for all he has meant to me, my family, the Falcons and to this community, both on and off the field. He has been a difference maker in every way and has touched numerous lives here in Atlanta.
Roddy will forever be part of the Falcons family and I’m confident our fans will always remember and be grateful for the exemplary way he has represented them over the last 11 years. We wish him nothing but the very best and, on a personal level, we look forward to a lifetime relationship with Roddy and his family."
-Falcons Owner Arthur Blank
It's always tough to say goodbye, but I don't have to. While Roddy might never wear a Falcons uniform again, he's sure to be welcomed back in the years to come to be honored as the legend that he is.
I don't have to say goodbye, I just have to say thank you. Thank you, Roddy.
I don't have to say goodbye, I just have to say thank you. Thank you, Roddy.
