FLOWERY BRANCH – Barbara Babineaux packed her two-sided Falcons and Seahawks jersey -- the one that reads "Mama Bird" on the back -- and with about 20 other family members flew from Port Arthur, Texas, to Seattle on Friday.
She's the mother of Falcons defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux and Seattle safety Jordan Babineaux, who will be on opposite sidelines at Qwest Field on Sunday.
"It's exciting," Barbara said via telephone on Thursday. "I want both of them to do well, which I know that they will."
She'll be staying at Jordan's home and is set to cook a big feast on Saturday before the players have to report to their respective team hotels.
Jordan, who has already done the grocery shopping, has ordered up some of his mother's gumbo.
"We'll be sitting on the Seattle side since Jordan has the tickets," Barbara said.
Jonathan Babineaux, a six-year veteran, is having a fine season for the Falcons. With his 25 tackles, four tackles for losses, three sacks, two forced fumbles, a safety and an interception, he has a shot at reaching the Pro Bowl.
Jordan, a seven-year veteran and former starter, is playing mostly on special teams for the Seahawks.
This will be their third meeting. The Falcons won in Atlanta in 2007 and the Seahawks won in Seattle in 2005.
"We've been playing football all of our lives. To be able to go out there and be on the same field is truly a dream come true," Jonathan said. "I usually get to watch him, but I haven't been able to watch him too much this year. We are always playing at the same time."
Jonathan is almost 90 pounds heavier than Jordan and that remains a family mystery.
"Growing up, he used to eat more than me," Jonathan said. "For some reason, he just never gained any weight. My mom made him eat beans and rice and he started gaining a little bit of weight."
While enjoying Barbara's cooking, they likely won't talk about the game.
"We also like to play golf," Jonathan said. "I think he went and took some lessons on me. But I'm going to surprise him this offseason."
Their father, Joseph, passed away when Jonathan was 10, leaving Barbara to raise the five kids, including four boys. She's proud that all five of them have graduated from college. Her plan for keeping the kids out of trouble was to keep them involved in sports.
"This is really something," Barbara said. "It's truly a blessing to be able to say that. I still get to see them play ball as young men."
Just don't try to pin her down about which team she likes best.
"I can't," said Barbara, who will be featured in an upcoming book entitled "I Am Mother" by David Manuel. "One of the Babineauxs is going to win the game."
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