It almost feels like the early 2000s Atlanta again. A Black, left-handed quarterback with immense potential is suiting up for a floundering Atlanta Falcons franchise this Sunday against the New York Giants. His name is Michael.
We might be over 15 years removed from the prime Mike Vick era in Atlanta, but there’s an upbeat feeling among Black fans and others eager to watch rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. make his first start this Sunday.
Penix gets the nod over Kirk Cousins, who’s thrown one touchdown and nine interceptions in the past five games. When the Falcons threw a $180 million contract at the 36-year-old recovering from an Achilles tear, the hope was that he could mentor Penix, drafted eighth overall.
That changed earlier this week when head coach Raheem Morris announced that Penix, the former Heisman Trophy finalist with stints at Indiana University and University of Washington, was taking over.
Like any major announcement, the internet had some thoughts — and plenty of memes — reacting to the news. Here are some of our favorite responses to Penix leading the squad this weekend and potentially beyond.
Some were quick to compare Penix to Jamie Foxx’s character Willie Beamon from the 1999 film, “Any Given Sunday.” In that movie, Beamon is the third-string quarterback who replaces the other two QBs on the depth chart, which includes an aging starter, John “Cap” Rooney played by Dennis Quaid.
One self-proclaimed Falcons die-hard channeled a scene from the 1992 film “Juice” starring Tupac Shakur and Omar Epps.
Some joked about what the move means for fantasy football owners with Falcons wide receivers on their rosters.
Elsewhere, fans suggested the pressure might be on for Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson.
Despite how it might feel for Cousins to take a ride on the pine pony, others aren’t so sure it’s a bad thing for him.
There were even folks who remembered Cousins swag surfing with fans and quoting the late Atlanta rapper Bankroll Fresh.
A lot of fans noted that they are already looking toward next week’s Sunday Night Football matchup when the Falcons face off against the Washington Commanders — Cousins’ first team — and their star Black rookie quarterback, Jayden Daniels.
So, what can fans realistically expect from game one of the Penix era?
Earlier this month The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s D. Orlando Ledbetter asked him if he’d be ready to play when his number was called.
“I’m always ready,” Penix said. “I have to be because you never know when that time will come. I’m going to stay ready.”
If anything, Falcons fans are more than ready to see what the new QB1 is capable of doing.
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