Several former Yellow Jackets are keeping their dreams of playing professional football alive just across town from the Flats.
Just four miles south of Bobby Dodd Stadium, six former Georgia Tech players are continuing their football careers at the professional level with Atlanta’s newest sports franchise.
The Atlanta Legends, one of eight members of the brand new Alliance of American Football, began play with a 40-6 loss to Steve Spurrior’s Orlando Apollos on the road Saturday night. Atlanta is coached by longtime NFL and college coach Kevin Coyle.
2019 marks the inaugural season for the AAF, a league that also has teams in Birmingham, Memphis, Phoenix, San Antonio and San Diego.
The Legends are full of former Yellow Jackets. Former quarterback Justin Thomas is a wide receiver on a legends offensive roster that also includes guard Freddie Burden. On the defensive side of the ball, Tech has defensive lineman T.J. Barnes, linebackers Brandon Watts and KeShun Freeman, and defensive back Corey Griffin.
Another familiar name to Atlanta sports fans comes on the coaching staff with offensive coordinator Michael Vick.
All hail ATL. pic.twitter.com/Y3vmY3zPvN
— Atlanta Legends (@AafLegends) November 28, 2018
Plenty of rival players grace the Atlanta roster as well. The team’s starting quarterback is former Georgia field general Aaron Murray, as well as defensive backs Damian Swann and Quincy Mauger. The roster also includes West Georgia’s Dylan Donahue at linebacker and former Georgia Southern kicker Younghoe Koo.
The AAF plays at a 10-game schedule. The 2019 slate will include five home games for the Legends. All games being played at Georgia State Stadium, or better known as Turner Field.
Atlanta travels to San Diego Sunday for game two versus San Diego. The Legends kick off their home schedule at Georgia State Stadium on Sunday, Feb. 24 when Atlanta hosts Birmingham at 8 p.m.