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8 I Thursday, June 22, 2006 | The Red & Black
SPORTS
Former quarterback visits Athens with Falcons
LEIGH AUERBACH | The Red & Black
A Atlanta Falcons backup quarterback D.J. Shockley makes an appearance at the Beechwood Chick-fil-A to sign auto
graphs and give interviews as part of a publicity tour with the Atlanta Falcons.
By MARSHALL DUNCAN
mduncan@randb.com
It was a sea of red and
black at the Beechwood
Chick-fll-A Wednesday as the
Atlanta Falcons came to
Athens.
Fans of all ages were sport
ing both Falcons and Bulldog
apparel as former Bulldog
quarterback D.J. Shockley
returned home.
Shockley and several of his
new Falcon teammates were
in Athens for the Chick-fil-A
sponsored promotional tour
called the “Falcons Caravan.”
Along with Shockley were
second-string quarterback
Matt Schaub, reserve
players Cole Magner, Frank
Omiyale and former Bulldog
Josh Mallard, as well as
mascot Freddie Falcon and
the Atlanta Falcon cheerlead
ers.
All the players were there
to sign autographs and pose
for pictures, but for many,
Shockley was the highlight of
the event.
Since being drafted in the
seventh round, Shockley has
been practicing with his new
team, learning a whole new
system and proving his ability
to compete in the NFL.
“Life hasn’t been that
much different. I’m always
used to hard work. It’s the
same football life, just at
another level,” Shockley said.
The Athens fans were more
than excited to welcome the
former Georgia quarterback
home.
As Shockley was leaving
Georgia Square Mall after his
first stop of the day, a lady
came sprinting out of a salon
with her hair wet from an
interrupted dye job, just to
get an autograph from the
local hero.
Getting the chance to stay
close to home was a pleasant
surprise for Shockley, a native
of College Park.
“You never expect to be
able to stay in your hometown
to play at the next level. It
feels good,” Shockley said. “I
get to stay here, my family
gets to stay here. I have
brothers and sisters that love
to see me play.”
Though the NFL is a big
step up from college football,
Shockley said he is adjusting
well.
“Pro life is (about) playing
football and that’s it — that’s
your job. College life has aca
demics and so many other
things,” he said.
Although Shockley is still a
big name to Georgia fans, he
is now a rookie with the
Falcons at the bottom of the
depth chart.
This means no special
treatment and a few more
duties.
“I’ve had to carry water for
all the quarterbacks to all the
meetings and things.”
Staying true to his down-
to-earth mentality, Shockley
said he hasn’t made any
big purchases yet but is cur
rently looking for a home in
Atlanta.
Shockley’s first hint that
he was to become an Atlanta
Falcon came just before the
NFL draft, when he worked
out for them.
“They said I did a good
job. They were extremely
pleased how I threw the
ball. They were high on me,”
he said.
“That’s the biggest thing
about the Falcons. They
knew my talent, and they
understand the kind of talent
I have as a quarterback.”
Shockley said he is getting
along well with his new team
mates and said he speaks
with starting quarterback
Michael Vick on a regular
basis.
“We speak often. I’m
always asking questions. He’s
real straightforward,” said
Shockley. “He’s going to
answer any questions and
help you if you ask him.”
Though he may be a back
up now, his goals reach far
beyond holding a clipboard.
“I want to be a starter in
this league. I want to be able
to take a team to the next
level, take a team to the
Super Bowl, and win the
Super Bowl,” said Shockley.
Although Shockley has
moved on, he has not forgot
ten his alma mater.
“My most memorable
moment at UGA was winning
the SEC Championship,
because everyone said we
were going to finish third in
the East, and we ended up
winning the whole thing,” he
said.
Shockley has faith in the
Bulldogs this upcoming sea
son.
“UGA will be just fine. No
matter who they lose, they
always reload. They’re going
to be fine and just as good as
we were last year,” he said.
Despite his optimism,
Shockley wouldn’t predict the
successor to his former start
ing spot, a point of debate
among fans and coaches
alike.
“I think it will come down
to who plays the best, who
moves the ball and who
makes the most plays and
plays smart,” he said.
Falcons training camp
begins July 24 and the team
plays their first preseason
game Aug. 11 against the New
England Patriots.
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