Atlanta Falcons: Cordarrelle Patterson remains a fan favorite

In just two years, Cordarrelle Patterson has become a fan favorite among Atlanta Falcons fans. In 2021, he signed with the Falcons on a one-year contract and had a breakout season.  Tallying 11 rushing and receiving touchdowns, it didn’t take long for fans to embrace the player wearing #84.

Patterson, who is called “CP” by many fans, also has the nickname “Flash.”The team has certainly benefitted from his skill set. Under head coach Arthur Smith, who also handles the team’s offensive play-calling duties, Patterson has emerged as a top offensive weapon playing both the running back and wide receiver positions or returning kicks.

In week 11 of the 2022 season versus the Chicago Bears, Patterson broke the NFL record for having the most kickoff returns for touchdowns after running 103 yards. Fans in attendance at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium got to witness his history-making in real-time and cheered him on as he ran the length of the field to become the all-time kick return leader.

Patterson has remained an Atlanta Falcons fan favorite not only for how he carries himself on the field but his willingness to recruit top players. Before he used Twitter to influence others to come to the Falcons, he used his cleats to express his desire to retire in Atlanta.

After having such a productive season in 2021, some Falcons fans thought he may be enticed to leave. However, that was not the case and fans were elated when the news broke in March 2022 that he had re-signed with the team. Patterson confirmed the news via Twitter with a colorful play on the team’s slogan “Rise Up.”

Having a franchise player like Patterson publicly display his want to stay in Atlanta was the breath of fresh air fans needed after going through an unexpected breakup with longtime fan favorite, Julio Jones in the season before.

In 2021, an NFL film crew caught an on-field exchange with Patterson, a mother, and her two young children. The daughter was crying. Patterson noticed and asked why. The mother explained that her son had received a football but her daughter had not, hence the tears. It took just a few seconds for him to find a ball…

Also in 2021, the Falcons posted on their website about Patterson wearing cleats in honor of Ahmaud Arbery. Not all NFL players choose to make their feelings known about the attack in which Arbery was targeted in Georgia. The hate crime was committed in 2020 before Cordarrelle joined the Falcons, however, this didn’t stop Patterson who was willing to speak out and Atlanta Falcons fans responded with comments letting him know this gesture was appreciated.

His popularity goes beyond fans giving him praise on social media. It extends to jersey sales as well. Patterson’s jersey was not available at the Team Store at Mercedes-Benz Stadium or at the Team Store at Atlantic Station during his first season with the team.

Featured player jerseys do not typically include players on one-year contracts. However as Patterson’s production on the field and popularity increased, so did the demand for his jersey. Once he signed his second contract with the team, his jersey became available at both Team Store locations. This delighted Falcons fans who wanted to purchase their Patterson #84 jerseys on-site, instead of having to wait and place orders online.

Patterson engages with fans, at home, and on the road, by playing catch before games. Fans who get to games early enough and are able to interact with him in this way have special memories that will stay with them long after the games have ended. So whether he’s showing his “Flash” by breaking tackles and setting NFL records, using his Twitter to help recruit for the team, or just being an overall good guy, Patterson’s legacy as an Atlanta Falcons fan favorite has been cemented.