Atlanta Falcons appoint late Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. as honorary captain
The Atlanta Falcons have designated Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions as the “RISE UP and VOTE” game as a moment to spotlight the importance of exercising their voice and democratic right to vote.
And as part of the events of the day, the team’s social justice committee has decided to honor the late Rev. Martin Luther King Jr as an honorary captain,
Per the Falcons:
For the Oct. 25 game, the players from both teams have named the late Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., the legendary civil rights leader from Atlanta, Honorary Captain of the game. Additionally, his daughter, Rev. Bernice King will pull the iconic Train Horn prior to kick-off.
The team also explained the significance of the uniforms they will wear for the first time:
The Atlanta Falcons will don their new alternate gradient uniform for the first time against the Detroit Lions this Sunday. The gradient uniform, also known as the “Rise Up” alternate uniform was designed to represent a city constantly on the rise while also paying homage to the next generation of Falcons fans. This year, the new look took on additional meaning as the Falcons organization, together with the player-led social justice committee, deemed the Oct. 25 game the “RISE UP and VOTE” game as a moment to shine a spotlight on the importance of exercising their voice and democratic right to vote.
Dr. King was an American Christian minister and activist who became the most visible spokesperson and leader in the civil rights movement from 1955 until his assassination in 1968. King is best known for advancing civil rights through nonviolence and civil disobedience, inspired by his Christian beliefs and the nonviolent activism of Mahatma Gandhi.
