Kelly loyal to Atlanta teams
Just like every other Falcons fan, Atlanta native and actor Michael Kelly can’t wait for the weekend’s big game.
He’s especially excited to see the Falcons’ dynamic offense and thinks that a one-on-one matchup between Julio Jones and anyone he faces in the secondary is a matchup that doesn’t bode well for the other team.
“If they put two guys on Julio Jones and someone else is open, one of the (13) different players on offense have caught touchdowns,” he said. “That’s because of Julio Jones.”
Throughout Kelly’s life, Atlanta sports teams have helped create a bond between him and his family.
“My brother and my father, we’re all really close and we text during most baseball games and definitely every football game,” Kelly told For The Win for Celeb Pick ’Em. “I had to stay true to my roots.”
Kelly began rooting for the Falcons and Braves during the heyday of Deion Sanders. Sanders played for both teams between 1991 and 1993.
“He was just so cool to watch,” said Kelly, who still refers to Sanders by his nickname, Neon Deion. “And he was such a dynamic player, you always had your eyes on Deion.”
And while he might be biased, Kelly says Matt Ryan deserves league MVP honors.
“You look at the numbers and the stats he put up this year — 38 touchdowns, seven interceptions, just shy of 5,000 yards (4,944), a 117 QBR — it’s insane the year he had,” Kelly said. “Matt Ryan had one hell of a season.” Kelly, who stars in the FX show
Taboo, has lived in New York for over 20 years, but his allegiances have remained the same.
“My friends that moved there with me, they were like Jets and Giants. And I’m like, dude, you’re from Atlanta.”