FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Troy Ragan has been a Falcons fan for each of his 44 years. The team has always had a special place in his life, but never has it been to his home.
That changed Oct. 21 as Ragan and 10 of his friends welcomed Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders and Freddie Falcon to his house for a special viewing party. Ragan won the visit via a contest on AM 790 The Zone that was sponsored by Miller Lite. The group dined on barbecue and watched the Falcons fight hard, but drop a tough division game at New Orleans, 22-16.
"I thought they were going to come to my spot at the game," said the sales manager from his Roswell home. "I had no idea. Thursday they called and said, 'Hey, you're the one.. Get 10 friends. We're coming to your house.I called some of my family members first. It was an opportunity to have my brother over and my brother-in-law and stuff... people that have gone to Falcons games with me over the years."
Ragan has had season tickets since the team's first season in the Georgia Dome but went to games with his parents and other family members "deep into Fulton Co. Stadium days."
"Forever, Just forever," Ragan said when asked how long he's been a Falcons fan. "I'm 44 years old. I've been a Falcons fan since they were there in '67. I'm your ultimate homer."
The viewing party included a visit from five Falcons cheerleaders and included more than a few shenanigans from Freddie, who played pool with Ragan's 15-year-old daughters. The bird also made a point to pick fun at the host, who had the ultimate tailgate at his home for a day.
"The food was wonderful," Ragan said. "They had a full thing of ribs, pork and chicken. It was gone immediately... Usually I watch the game by myself and go down and tailgate for the home games."
The Falcons may have lost the game, but that didn't dampen any spirits around the Ragan home. There's plenty of good Falcons memories to go round for Troy and his family.
"There's no question about it, my favorite memory was when Morten (Andersen) kicked that winning field goal in Minnesota," he said. "I Called my wife, Sallie, from a party and found out I was having a boy at the same time. The win was a shock, but the boy was a big shock.
"I've had so many great memories. A lot of people wonder why I'm a true-blue Falcons fan. I just have a good time going down there 10 times a year."
