FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- It happens almost every practice. During a special teams period -- either relating to punts or after the first few reps of kick return, Cordarrelle Patterson walks to the edge of the Atlanta Falcons' practice field, past the S.A.F.E. security guards and up against the thin rope.
The crowd gathers around and the begging, pleading and sometimes screaming begins.
"Patterson, will you sign this?" "CP, take a picture with me?" "Patterson. Patterson. Patterson."
After Patterson had the best year of his NFL career in his first year with the Falcons in 2021 as a do-everything offensive option with 618 rushing yards and six touchdowns along with 548 receiving yards and five more touchdowns, he became a fan favorite.