In an effort to honor history and inspire his players, Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris has created a video focused on Jesse Owens' remarkable achievements at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Owens, an African American athlete, defied the Nazi regime by winning four gold medals in front of Adolf Hitler, challenging the regime's claims of Aryan racial superiority. This historical context is particularly poignant as the Falcons prepare to face the Indianapolis Colts at the Olympiastadion, the very venue where Owens made history.
Morris expressed the significance of this initiative during a press conference held at the training center of Bundesliga soccer club Union Berlin. "I put together a little video for them tonight to show them," Morris said. "We just put something together just so they get a little bit of history, so they can get a really good feel, and a really good prideful feeling of Jesse Owens and what he was able to accomplish, and how dominant he was. A lot of people forget those eras."
Owens led a group of 18 Black athletes who collectively won 14 medals at the Olympiastadion, which was designed under Hitler's direction. Morris plans to present the video to his team before the game on Friday evening, emphasizing the importance of understanding historical significance in the context of sports. "I was actually a young guy and learned it pretty early," he observed, discussing how he absorbed lessons from Owens’ experiences, noting, "A lot of our guys will take advantage if they don’t (know)."
In addition to paying homage to Owens, Morris is preparing for the Colts' recent acquisition of star cornerback Sauce Gardner from the New York Jets. Morris anticipates that Gardner, a two-time All-Pro, will make an immediate impact on the game. He stated, "It’s definitely going to affect some of the things we’re going to do, but it’s probably going to affect them more in how they’re going to pay attention to Drake (London)."
Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. recently connected with wide receiver Drake London for three touchdowns during a narrow 24-23 loss against the New England Patriots. This underscores the importance of strategic adjustments the Falcons may need to make, particularly in light of the Colts' bolstered defense.
As the Falcons embark on their trip to Berlin, Morris quipped about his reluctance to delve into the German language. "He tried to get me to come up here and say 'good morning' (guten morgen), and I’m not going to do that to you guys," he joked, gesturing to a team spokesman. Yet, he did manage to greet his audience with a "danke," although he humorously admitted that his daughter criticized his German pronunciation.
In summary, Morris's initiative to share Owens' legacy serves not only to educate his team but also to inspire them on the field. The upcoming game against the Colts and the historical backdrop of the Olympiastadion adds to the significance of this encounter, making it a poignant moment for the players to reflect on the past while striving for success in the present.
