Atlanta Falcons: Brooking didn’t have a good homecoming
September 17, 2012 - Atlanta, Ga.,: Atlanta Falcons safety Thomas DeCoud celebrates with the home crowd after he intercepted Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning in the first half of their game against the Atlanta Falcons in the Georgia Dome Monday night in Atlanta, Ga., September 17, 2012. The Falcons defense intercepted Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning three times in the first quarter. JASON GETZ / JGETZ@AJC.COM
By Michael Cunningham
The ball popped out of Falcons running back Michael Turner’s grasp and, for a brief moment, it appeared linebacker Keith Brooking was going to come home and save the Broncos.
Brooking would get the ball back after Peyton Manning’s interception set up Falcons for a quick scoring chance. He’d stun Falcons fans who jeered him before the game. After 16 years in the game, here was Brooking making a game-saving play.
Alas, Turner collected his fumble and scored a touchdown on the next play. Brooking was denied his big moment and the Falcons went on to defeat Denver 27-21 at the Georgia Dome.
“Not a very good homecoming for me,” Brooking said.
Brooking was back in the place where he’s spent most of his life, from East Coweta High to Georgia Tech to 11 seasons with the Falcons. He got a chilly reception from the home folks.
Falcons fans booed whenever Brooking’s name was mentioned, starting with a pregame introduction. was introduced before the game. The animosity directed at Brooking by fans seems mostly related to his actions while with the Cowboys in 2009.
One season after the Falcons released him, Brooking taunted them during a Cowboys victory. Brooking told the AJC last week that he regrets his antics in Dallas, apologized to Falcons owner Arthur Blank and hopes Atlanta fans will forgive him.
It appears they haven’t yet but Brooking brushed off the derision.
“I was the enemy tonight,” he said. “I wasn’t expecting a lot of cheers. I heard a few cheers in there. I was actually pleasantly surprised about that.
“But I love the fans here. I had a lot of great years here and they supported me in a big way for 11 years. So no hard feelings about that.”
After playing just 11 snaps during Denver’s first game, Brooking played extensively against the Falcons. He was credited with five tackles and the forced fumble.
It was, Brooking said, an “emotional” homecoming.
“I spent a lot of great years here and I have a lot of good memories and a lot of respect for this organization,” he said. “I knew it was going to be emotional but, once I got between those lines on the first snap, it was football. You kind of put all of that aside and focus and concentrate and try to help your team win.”
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61 comments Add your comment
shannyeight
September 18th, 2012
5:40 pm
I have to agree…Franks stunk it up out there last night- I tried to have faith in dude, but it seemed like he didnt even wanna be out there last night…lettin Demaryus Thomas jump for a catch, he JUST STOOD THERE, lookin “stuck on stupid”! At least Owens tried when he was out there…I’ll give him that much.
SCFalcon
September 18th, 2012
5:55 pm
Julio was double teamed all night and the other recievers picked up the slack. Throw to the open man, works every time! As long as they catch the ball…………
BravesFan79
September 18th, 2012
6:03 pm
Im STILL a Brooking fan regardless, from his days at GT to his days with the Falcons during the 98 Super Bowl run. I dont care what others think, he was a important part of GT and Falcons football for years and any true Atlanta sports fan should appreciate that.
For the record, his first game with the Broncos was pretty good in their victory.
Esquire
September 18th, 2012
6:08 pm
StuDawg
September 18th, 2012
2:39 pm
Akeem Dent had one tackle.
************************************
If he did it didn’t make it to the box score.
sweet pea
September 18th, 2012
6:19 pm
I’m tired of the public thinking that the Falcons let Brooking go. He was given a contract, but limited as to how much he played third down. He chose to go to Dallas instead. His ego didn’t want to sit out on third down plays. This is the truth and can be proven.
Esquire
September 18th, 2012
6:23 pm
Claudia
September 18th, 2012
5:29 pm
“and some day may be in the Hall of Fame. If the hall is in his future I hope he goes as a Falcon.”
_____________________________________________
Claudia, I got bad news for ya……………Kieth won’t be making it to the Hall in Canton. You have to have a little more class to get in and that is something that escapes Mr Brooking. What, are you his neighbor or play bridge with his wife or something?
Oh, just one more thing. You can forget the Falcon Ring of Honor too!
Mike Franklin
September 18th, 2012
6:24 pm
Something tells me that before he finally retires, he will be back for one season… don’t ask me why. Just a gut feeling.
Loyalfalconfrmthemississippi
September 18th, 2012
6:49 pm
Now franks was able to get pressure on manning once but other than that he just didnt seem motivated to make plays ud think after being cut and resigned hed have a little motivation to get better
The Classic Fan
September 19th, 2012
12:09 am
Dent barely saw the field because they played nickel the whole game. Nicholas played like a beast along Spoon…… Franks was the hole in the middle. I think McClain didn’t play more because he doesn’t play nickel. He backed up Samuels out wide, but Franks backed up Owens. Samuels came back in and made some huge tackles. Hopefully there is another option at nickel for next week if Owens can’t go. Franks looked out of his league out there in both phases. Just awful in the return game….. Brooking is making an effort to be friends again. I can appreciate that. Mocking the team and fans that supported him for 11 years was classless, but he was just trying to get fired up and contribute to his then team (who paid him when the Falcons wouldn’t.) He played hard for us for a long time. Ray Lewis, he was not. I wish him luck for the rest of the season, now that the Falcons are past him.
I usually just read but...
September 19th, 2012
8:16 am
” I figured the guy sitting there was Hiram. But then I thought he would have to leave his mommy’s basement and borough money and hitch a ride to the game and figured no way that is Hiram.”
Hiram moved back to N O (home of the Nawing Taints) He said he didn’t miss his team too much, esp this year, but found that leaving his buddies behind was un-bare-able
Stephen
September 19th, 2012
3:24 pm
Claudia, I agree with you completely,
I was really hopping we would show some respect and kindness toward him because of everything that he had done for the team when he played with them. He stuck with Atlanta through thick and thin, and never asked or requested a trade. He has helped form Atlanta and even Matt Ryan and some the players who knew him have said he helped. Brooking could of left a lot earlier but he didn’t and this is the one time I am ashamed of the way falcons fans reacted to a former player. I hope when he is about to retire, Atlanta gives him a one day contract so that he can finish his pro career as an Atlanta Falcon, where he started it all.