The Atlanta Falcons have found their new head coach in Raheem Morris. Although he is familiar with the franchise, his hiring is unprecedented.
Morris is the first Black head coach in Falcons franchise history. While Emmitt Thomas (2007) and Morris (2020) were both interim coaches, this is the first time the franchise has hired a Black full-time head coach.
For a city like Atlanta, where nearly half of its residents are Black, having Morris represent their football team is a victory for representation. Atlanta is also one of the hot spots for the Civil Rights Movement, and the city’s African-American population can celebrate this hire for more reasons than football.
Morris, 47, was reported to be “zeroing in” on a deal to become the Falcons coach, per NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero on Thursday afternoon. In doing so, he beat out over a dozen candidates for the position including former New England Patriots legend Bill Belichick .
Related: BREAKING: Falcons Say No to Belichick, Hire Rams’ Morris as Head Coach