General Manager Thomas Dimitroff threw some passes at Friday’s practice at Falcons headquarters. Not to Roddy White or Tony Gonzalez, but to 16-year-old Alex Van Etten.
Van Etten and his family made their way to Flowery Branch via the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Alex has a cancer called Rhabdomyoscarcoma.
His wish was to meet Matt Ryan.
“I’m a fan of quarterbacks,” said Alex, a Falcons fan that spends football season tracking every aspect of the NFL. “And (Matt’s) a good player.”
The Van Ettens will stay in Atlanta for Saturday’s preseason game against the Chargers and get a behind-the-scenes tour of the Georgia Aquarium Sunday morning. Alex, along with his older brother, mother and father, will watch pregame warmups from the sideline and move up to Dimitroff’s suite for the game.
Beth Van Etten said her son loves football season and was overjoyed when he got the news he’d meet his favorite player and other Falcons.
“We’re all huge football fans,” she said. “This is all he wanted, to meet these guys… He loves this team and has supported them through some down years.”
Alex was greeted in The Branch by a host of Falcons cheerleaders Friday morning. He went on to breakfast with some Falcons coaches and players. He moved on to practice, chatting with Dimitroff and other Falcons employees and watching as the team made last-minute adjustments for the Chargers.
He then “broke down” the huddle, leading the team off the field.
“If I’m able to help in any way, shape or form I’m excited to do it,” Ryan said when asked about his involvement with the Make-A-Wish foundation.
Alex said he was attracted to the players’ humble nature and “down-to-earth” personalities.
He now knows a different side of the game he sees when his family travels from their home in South Carolina to Panthers games in Charlotte, N.C.
Though they have season tickets, neither Alex or his brother, Sean, are Carolina fans.
Alex wears his Falcons jersey and, according to his mother, “takes the abuse.” Regardless, Ryan and the Birds have a few more friendly faces in the stands when they make the trip up I-85.
“I like everything about the game, but I’m not a Panthers fan,” Alex says.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation has chapters around the country. According to Shavette Neal, the Georgia-Alabama chapter grants more than 400 wishes each year. Nationwide, a wish is granted about every 40 minutes.
BLOGGER’S NOTE: Look for more on Alex’s visit to The Branch, including video, on Monday on AtlantaFalcons.com.
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19 Comments
“I like everything about the game, but I’m not a Panthers fan”
Smart kid!!!!
That’s great. Nice of our Falcons to do that for this kid.
Alex wears his Falcons jersey and, according to his mother, “takes the abuse.”
Way to go kid. Represent the Falcons. Keep fighting.
Thanks for sharing J.Mike hope to hear more about these stories at a later time and good luck to him and his family,he has more than the Falcons rooting for them in a speedy recovery.
IF u c this is the kind of organization the Falcons r showin that they r about the fans and the community ,the players and the coaches,and the owners they care i’m not suprise i no the Falcons r like my boy Warrick Dunn very CLASSY
Darn proud to be a fan of this orginization. Best wishes to Alex and his family!
I taught Alex in 7th grade and I’m so thankful for Make-A-Wish and the Atlanta Falcons for making this dream come true for him. He is a great kid and a fighter!The Falcons are lucky to have him as a fan!
My family has season tickets in Charlotte but I’m a Falcons fan also. I’ll see you november 15th. No matter what the circumstances look like they can be overcome by faith little bro. Get better.
This kid is the true definition of a true falcons fan
WAY TO GO ALEX AND FAMILY. TRUE FALCON FAN, WAY TO REPRESENT. AND HATS OFF TO THOMAS D.AND THE FALCONS (MATT RYAN) FOR MAKING ALEX’S WISH COME TRUE. ALEX STAY STRONG AND GO ATL FALCONS !!!!!!!!
What a classy kid! God Bless you and yours brother….regardless of the team you back.
first and foremost i hope alex recovers and wish him the best with his battle ahead. I also want to say thats the way to represent ryan, td, and the whole falcons teams. this is the way a pro team should be ran.
Cant wait for the season lets go falconsssssssssssssssss
team not teams
This kid Alex makes me even more proud to be a Falons fan. Let’s hope they don’t disappoint, Alex! Somehow, I don’t think they will.
This kid Alex makes me even more proud to be a Falons fan. Let’s hope they don’t disappoint, Alex! Somehow, I don’t think they will.
OH! You’re my new favorite blogger fyi
All the media ever reports on players in the NFL is negative. The amount of media time spent on players like Plaxico Burress,Dante Stallworth and Mike Vick, et all leads people to look at all players as stupid, selfish and even dangerous. Meanwhile, coverage of stories like this is minimal at best. Congrats to Falcons, Matt, TD and the entire Falcons org. I’ve been a Falcon fan for over 40 years now and have never been prouder of the team and organization.
Amen, Bob Shaw.
Many players in the NFL are real, genuine people who don’t get into any trouble. I am tired of fans who ridicule these people as if they are somehow fake or not interesting.
I’m not saying every Falcons player is without flaw, but when someone thinks Matt Ryan is too good to be true, I just shake my head and say, why CAN’T someone be genuine and humble and straight-arrow? Why is that so difficult to believe?
Here’s hoping the nice guys finish first.
I have known alex for years he is a good person. im so glad he got his wish. best of luck to you man
My husband and I were honored to be the “wish granters” for Alex! We’re so happy that his wish came true, he deserves it! Thank you to the Falcons and Mr. Ryan…….we’re so grateful to you! You helped one terrific young man very happy! Marci & Les
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