FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Sure, the 75-yard-catch-and-run touchdown against the rival New Orleans Saints last Sunday was special. So was becoming the first rookie in Atlanta Falcons franchise history to catch three touchdown passes in a game.
But for Calvin Ridley, the signature moment of his rookie season might have occurred months ago and had nothing to do with reaching the end zone. It was a touchdown of a different sort.
Ridley headed home to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, during a break and called his mother, Kassna Daniels, upon landing. He could feel the excitement in his mother's tone as she just picked up the Cadillac Escalade he promised to buy for her, along with a house, after Calvin was drafted 26th overall.