North Fulton Today

Each year, the Rookie Club Dinner is held to introduce Atlanta Falcons rookies to new ways that they can help the Atlanta community and connect with the city's youth. 

One story in particular, that of Falcons player Richie Grant, was especially impactful to this year's participants, according to a Falcons news release. 

Jasper Jewell, Atlanta Public Schools athletic director, told a story about Falcons safety Grant at the dinner to help inspire rookies to give back to the community and show them the vast impact of a few small actions, the release said. 

Jewell and Grant had met earlier this year through a mutual friend while training at Walden Athletic Complex. Jewell said Grant's encounter went so well, he later told his student athletes about it, and the youths went crazy over the fact Grant had trained at their facility. 

According to the release, Grant said that hearing the story Jewell told made him think how he had to get back to his hometown and in front of those kids to start working with them.

"I didn't expect that at all. It really hits you that you can impact kids, just by being you, by representing that Falcons logo," Grant said. "But they also knew my name and so much about me, which was a reminder of just how many people watch what we do."

The release said the Rookie Club Dinner introduces the 2021 NFL Draft class and undrafted players to "the best ways give back and how the Rookie Club conducts charitable events throughout the year."