Falcons Rookie Club

The Atlanta Falcons are pleased to continue their partnership with UnitedHealthcare of Georgia as the title sponsor of the 2011 Atlanta Falcons Rookie Club. In its third year, the Atlanta Falcons Rookie club will coordinate several of its community appearances with UnitedHealthcare of Georgia.

“The ultimate goal of the Rookie Club is to provide opportunities for these young men to embrace and develop a great understanding of the importance of giving back to the community” said Kendyl Moss, Director of Community Relations. “We are looking forward to partnering with UnitedHealthcare of Georgia to expand our efforts to make a difference in the community.

“The Falcon’s Rookie Club is exciting not only for what each event will bring to the community, but for the fact that the Falcons are nurturing this young, energetic group of players toward a life of community service,” said Rick Elliott, CEO of UnitedHealthcare of Georgia. “This spirit of giving back to the community aligns perfectly with the culture at UnitedHealthcare.”

 2011 Atlanta Falcons Rookie Club Events

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September 20th- 3rd Annual Atlanta Falcons Rookie Club Dinner

Julio Jones, Darrin Walls, Matt Bosher, Kevin Cone, Andrew Jackson, Jacquizz Rodgers, Drew Davis, Tommy Gallarda, Akeem Dent, and Cliff Matthews attended the 3rd annual Atlanta Falcons Rookie Club dinner, sponsored by United Healthcare of Georgia, at the Commerce Club.  UnitedHealthcare of Georgia CEO Rick Elliott inspired this year’s rookie class to make the most of their involvement and find a passion for giving back.  Former Rookie Club members Christopher Owens, Sean Weatherspoon, Corey Peters, Michael Palmer, Shann Schillinger, and Lawrence Sidbury shared their Rookie Club experience and set the bar for this year’s rookies.  The players are looking forward to the Rookie Club program and are ready to start giving back. 

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October 4th – Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta- Scottish Rite Visit

 

Julio Jones, Darrin Walls, Matt Bosher, Kevin Cone, Andrew Jackson, Jacquizz Rodgers, Drew Davis, Tommy Gallarda, Akeem Dent, and Cliff Matthews spent their Tuesday at Scottish Rite, in Atlanta.  Players had the opportunity to visit patients, take photographs, and sign autographs.  The players enjoyed the event and look forward to future visits to Scottish Rite. 

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October 18th – Hometown Huddle

All the 2011 Rookies spent their Tuesday morning at Joseph W. Humphries Elementary school participating in a PE class and promoting physical fitness.  Cliff Matthews instructed kids on how to do proper push-ups while Julio Jones and Tommy Gallarda showed off their hula hoop skills.  Matt Bosher, Kevin Cone, Jacquizz Rodgers, Cliff Matthews, Akeem Dent, Tommy Gallarda, Drew Davis, Andrew Jackson, Darrin Walls, and Julio Jones had a great time being back in elementary school on Tuesday.

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November 1 – Atlanta Falcons Gatorade Junior Training Camp

Julio Jones, Darrin Walls, Matt Bosher, Kevin Cone, Andrew Jackson, Jacquizz Rodgers, Drew Davis, Tommy Gallarda, Akeem Dent, Cliff Matthews and Suaesi Tuimaunei visited with students at South Forsyth High School. The players participated in a Gatorade Junior Training Camp with special education students. While Julio Jones threw some passes, Matt Bosher and Kevin Cone cheered the kids on as they did their best touchdown dance. To end the great day, the kids got to get autographs and eat lunch with the players.

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November 15^th- Feed The Children

 

Julio Jones, Darrin Walls, Matt Bosher, Kevin Cone, Andrew Jackson, Jacquizz Rodgers, Drew Davis, Tommy Gallarda, Akeem Dent, Cliff Matthews and Suaesi Tuimaunei spent time working with Feed the Children to distribute food to military families and veterans. The players did everything from directing traffic to passing out boxes. Kevin Cone, Matt Bosher, and Freddie the Falcon greeted the families as they waited in line. Akeem Dent, along with the rest of the rookies passed out boxes, took pictures, and enjoyed meeting some great families. It was a wonderful surprise to all the families, to see Falcons players helping out a great cause.

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November 22nd – Crossroads Community Ministries

The Rookie Club got in the holiday spirit early by serving over 300 Thanksgiving meals at Crossroads Community Ministries. The players set the tables, served food, and interacted with the city’s less fortunate families. Christopher Owens joined Darrin Walls, Matt Bosher, Kevin Cone, Jacquizz Rodgers, Cliff Matthews, Akeem Dent, Tommy Gallarda, and Drew Davis on this Rookie Club visit. Thanks to UnitedHealthcare of Georgia the Rookie Club was able to donate a television to Crossroads, that all the families could enjoy. It was a perfect way to kick off the Thanksgiving holiday.

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December 6 – Shepherd Spinal Center

On Tuesday, the Rookie Club visited the Shepherd Spinal Center in Atlanta. Julio Jones, Darrin Walls, Matt Bosher, Kevin Cone, Jacquizz Rodgers, Andrew Jackson, Cliff Matthews, Akeem Dent, Suaesi Tuimaunei and Drew Davis took pictures, signed autographs, and talked with the patients. The rookies have really been enjoying getting out in the community and interacting with fans.

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December 21 – Shop with a Rookie

The Atlanta Falcons Rookie Club ended a great season of giving by treating 20 children from the Metro Atlanta Boys and Girls Club to a shopping spree for the holidays. Julio Jones, Darrin Walls, Matt Bosher, Kevin Cone, Jacquizz Rodgers, Andrew Jackson, Cliff Matthews, Akeem Dent, Suaesi Tuimaunei, Ryan Winterswyk and Drew Davis took the children shopping for some great gifts. Cliff Matthews and Ryan Winterswyk helped pick out running shoes, while Kevin Cone’s shopping cart was filled with pink and purple athletic attire for some of the girls. After shopping, the kids enjoyed getting autographs and eating pizza with the players.

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2010 Atlanta Falcons Rookie Club Events

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May 20 – 2nd Annual Atlanta Falcons Rookie Club Dinner

Sean Weatherspoon, Corey Peters, Mike Johnson, Joe Hawley, Colin Peek, Rafael Bush, Bear Woods, Brandyn Harvey, Emmanuel Stephens, Gabe Derricks, Dimitri Nance, Michael Palmer, Tim Buckley, Kerry Meier, Domonique Franks, Shann Schillinger, Rajon Henley, Weston Johnson, Ryan Wolfe, Garrett Lindholm, Justin Drescher, Domonique Daniels, Eric Ward and Trey Bryant attended the 2nd annual Atlanta Falcons Rookie Club dinner sponsored by United Healthcare of Georgia at the Wildfire Grill in Atlanta.  2nd year players Christopher Owens, Garrett Reynolds and Lawrence Sidbury attended the event as well.The players were introduced to the Rookie Club program and the power of giving back off the field as a professional athlete. 

__________________________________________________________________________________________________May May 27 – Visit to Shepherd Center in Atlanta

Sean Weatherspoon, Corey Peters, Mike Johnson, Joe Hawley, Colin Peek, Rafael Bush, Bear Woods, Brandyn Harvey, Emmanuel Stephens, Gabe Derricks, Dimitri Nance, Michael Palmer, Tim Buckley, Kerry Meier, Domonique Franks, Shann Schillinger, Rajon Henley, Weston Johnson, Ryan Wolfe, Garrett Lindholm, Justin Drescher, Domonique Daniels, Eric Ward and Trey Bryant visited the Shepherd Center in Atlanta.  The players signed autographs, took pictures for the patients.  This hospital treats patients who have suffered from spinal cord injuries and brain injuries.

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June 14 – Bowling to Benefit UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation

Sean Weatherspoon, Corey Peters, Mike Johnson, Joe Hawley, Colin Peek, Rafael Bush, Bear Woods, Brandyn Harvey, Emmanuel Stephens, Gabe Derricks, Dimitri Nance, Michael Palmer, Tim Buckley, Kerry Meier, Domonique Franks, Shann Schillinger, Rajon Henley, Weston Johnson, Ryan Wolfe, Garrett Lindholm, Justin Drescher, Domonique Daniels, Eric Ward and Trey Bryant along with veteran players Brian Williams, Kroy Biermann, Lawrence Sidbury, Eric Weems, Chevis Jackson, Garrett Reynolds and Harry Douglas bowled for the UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation bowling event at 300 bowling alley in Atlanta.  This event helped raise funds for the foundation as the players bowled with sponsors who purchased bowling lanes to support the cause.

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September 14 – Military Appreciation Visit to Fort McPherson 

Sean Weatherspoon, Corey Peters, Mike Johnson, Joe Hawley, Kerry Meier, Domonique Franks, Shann Schillinger, Michael Palmer, Tim Buckley, Rafeal Bush, Emmanuel Stephens, Bear Woods took part in a military appreciation event at Fort McPherson in downtown Atlanta.  The players played video games with soldiers at the fort and via webcam with soldiers in the Middle East.  The players also signed autographs, took pictures and ate lunch courtesy of Outback Steakhouse with soldiers who had recently been awarded with the Combat Action badge.

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September 28 – Visit to Eagle Ranch

Sean Weatherspoon, Corey Peters, Mike Johnson, Joe Hawley, Kerry Meier, Domonique Franks, Shann Schillinger, Michael Palmer, Tim Buckley, Rafeal Bush, Emmanuel Stephens spent an afternoon fishing and participating in activities with children at Eagle Ranch in Flowery Branch.  At the conclusion of the visit, the players ate pizza and signed autographs for the children.

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October 5 – Atlanta Falcons Gatorade Junior Training Camp

Sean Weatherspoon, Corey Peters, Mike Johnson, Joe Hawley, Kerry Meier, Domonique Franks, Shann Schillinger, Michael Palmer, Tim Buckley, Rafeal Bush, Emmanuel Stephens and Shawnbrey McNeal participated in an Atlanta Falcons Gatorade Junior Training Camp with special education students at South Forsyth High School in Cumming, GA.  The players provided instruction to the students and showed them how to do the particular football drills.

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November 2 – Food Distribution with Feed the Children

Sean Weatherspoon, Sean Weatherspoon, Corey Peters, Mike Johnson, Joe Hawley, Kerry Meier, Domonique Franks, Shann Schillinger, Michael Palmer, Tim Buckley, Rafeal Bush, Emmanuel Stephens and veteran Jerious Norwood participated in a food distribution event with Feed the Children.  The players distributed non-perishable food items and personal care products to military veterans and families at Brook Run Park in Dunwoody.  The players passed out the boxes to the families and took pictures.  To view video coverage of the event, click here.

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November 23 – Visit to Crossorads Community Ministries to serve Thanksgiving Lunch

Sean Weatherspoon, Corey Peters, Mike Johnson, Joe Hawley, Domonique Franks, Tim Buckley, Rafael Bush and Emmanuel Stephens and Kerry Meier joined by veterans Brian Williams, William Moore, Kroy Biermann, Vance Walker, Christopher Owens prepared and served a Thanksgiving lunch to the city’s less fortunate at Crossroads Community Ministries in downtown Atlanta.

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December 14 – Visit to Empty Stocking Fund’s Distribution Center

Sean Weatherspoon, Corey Peters, Joe Hawley, Mike Johnson, Domonique Franks, Shann Schillinger, Kerry Meier, Michael Palmer, Emmanuel Stephens, Rafeal Bush and Tim Buckley handled registration and the passing out of holiday gifts to underprivileged families at the Empty Stocking Fund’s distribution center in Chamblee.

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2009 Rookie Club Headlines

June 2 – Falcons Rookie Club visits Shepherd Spinal Center

June 17 — Foot”Bowl” with the Falcons benefits children’s foundation

September 22 — Falcons Rookie Club Visits Eagle Ranch

October 6 – Falcons Rookie Club visits Crawford Long Elementary

October 20 — Falcons Rookie Club cook with students in Lawrenceville

November 10 – Gatorade Jr. Training Camp led by Falcons Rookie Club

November 24 – Thanksgiving lunch served by Falcons Rookie Club

December 8 — Shopping Spree at Wal-Mart hosted by Falcons Rookie Club

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About UnitedHealthcare

UnitedHealthcare (www.unitedhealthcare.com) provides a full spectrum of consumer-oriented health benefit plans and services. The company organizes access to quality, affordable health care services on behalf of more than 25 million individual consumers, contracting directly with more than 560,000 physicians and care professionals and 4,800 hospitals nationwide to offer them broad, convenient access to services nationwide. UnitedHealthcare is one of the businesses of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH), a diversified Fortune 50 health and well-being company.