The pressures associated with being a SCAD Atlanta student are vast and differing, but taking some time to enjoy local entertainment is a great way to alleviate some of the stress.
Although not all students are from Atlanta, or even from the U.S, adopting a team can be inspiring, interesting and evoke a sense of pride for the city that students share with other Atlantans. This past week was a particularly exciting time in the local sports world.
On April 28, the Atlanta Falcons selected Alabama wide receiver Julio Jones as the sixth overall in the 2011 NFL draft. Derek Lowe, starting pitcher for the Atlanta Braves, was pulled over by Georgia State Patrol on Peachtree Road around 10 p.m. for reckless driving. And across town at Philips Arena, the Atlanta Hawks punched their ticket to the 2011 Eastern Conference Finals.
Julio Jones had a spectacular young career, beginning with high school football as a wide receiver at Foley High, in Foley, Alabama. In college, he carried over his success to the University of Alabama and helped the Crimson Tide reach the South Eastern Conference Championship in 2009. They defeated the Florida Gators and went on to win the National Championship, overthrowing the Oklahoma Sooners, 24 to 14.
Jones celebrated his selection by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2011 NFL draft with the words, “Hail the Queen,” according to a recent report by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Jones attributes his success to the influence of his mother, Queen Marvin, and is glad to be playing in Atlanta this fall, because he’ll be close to home and able to take care of her.
The Falcons Pro Bowl wide receiver, Roddy White, welcomed Julio Jones to the team by making a video blurb (or video blog) and posting it on his website, Roddywhite.tv. “We moved up [in the draft] to get Julio Jones. I can’t wait to see him; I can’t wait to get him on the squad,” White said.
“Jones is an explosive player,” said Falcons General Manager, Thomas Dimitroff, in an ESPN interview on Friday. “His ability to make the big play is what we were looking for.”
Although the Falcons were celebrating their prized selection, the Atlanta Braves suffered a blow from starting pitcher Derek Lowe’s DUI charge on Thursday night. Lowe was arrested for reckless driving while, presumably, racing his Porsche against another vehicle, which has yet to be identified, according to a press release by the AJC on Friday.
Lowe has enjoyed a spectacular career for the Braves, striking out 1,554 over his career and holding a 3.58 earned run average since the beginning of the 2011 season, according to ESPN records.
On Friday, Lowe released a statement through the AJC regarding his recent arrest. “I would like to apologize to my family, teammates, fans and the Braves organization for the attention arising from this matter; however. I am hopeful that this incident will not be a distraction to the Braves organization while we are focused on returning to the playoffs,” Lowe said.
Although his two playoff appearances last year ended with a loss, he combined 14 strikeouts and a low 2.31 earned run average through the playoff series, versus the San Francisco Giants, according to ESPN. AJC blogger Jeff Schultz reports that Lowe will be starting against the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday and hopes to get back on track with a win.
Eleven miles away from Lowe’s DUI incident on Peachtree Road, the Atlanta Hawks exacted their revenge on the Orlando Magic by defeating them in game six of the Eastern Conference Division playoff game. They won on the strengths of Joe Johnson’s 23-point performance and Al Horford’s 12 rebounds, according to the Hawks official site. The Magic routed the Hawks playoff hopes last season by trouncing them in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals and winning the series four games to none.
The Hawks move on to the next playoff series, facing off against the number one seed, Chicago Bulls, on Monday night in Chicago, Illinois, at the United Center. According to the AJC’s Hawks Blog by Michael Cunningham, starting point guard Kirk Hinrich may not be able to play in the first game of the series, when he will be desperately needed to counter the explosive offense of Bulls’ point guard Derek Rose. “It certainly changes things. Hopefully he’ll (Hinrich) be able to go, but if he’s not we will have to make an adjustment,” head coach Larry Drew said, according to the AJC.
The Falcons acquisition of Julio Jones will add a new spark to the already impressive offensive lead by Matt Ryan and Roddy White. Jones’ ability to make the big play will add another weapon to the Falcon’s astounding offense, as they gear up to make another run at the playoffs next season. Despite the current NFL lockout, which has kept players from practicing, speaking to coaches and using team facilities until the Players Association and team owners come to an agreement, the Falcons will be looking to Jones to become the next prime-time receiver.
Although Derek Lowe’s actions were regrettable, his press release assured fans that his head is in the right place now, and he intends to commit himself to this season as the Braves hope to make another playoff push that will go much further than the first round this year.
It’s a great time to be a Hawks fan, though they face the giant task of knocking off the number one seed, Chicago Bulls. The Hawks have earned the title, “The Highlight Factory” with late-game rallies, last second shots and rim-rattling dunks at home in Philips Arena, and with a strong fan presence, there’s always the possibility of upset just around the corner.
