ESPN's Mina Kimes on why Falcons fans are the best in the NFL
The Atlanta Falcons have one of the most interesting fan bases in the entire NFL. Of the 12 teams that have never won a Super Bowl, the Falcons have gotten by far the closest. Atlanta could practically taste the champagne with a 28-3 lead over the Patriots back in Super Bowl 51.
We all know how that game ended, and it's something fans will never fully get over. However, one NFL expert believes those scars are what make Falcons fans the best in the entire league. ESPN analyst Mina Kimes explained why she ranked Atlanta as her No. 1 NFL fan base.
"The Atlanta Falcons are the best fan base in the entire NFL," said Kimes. "They have been through the most. Nobody has been through 28-3. They by far have the weirdest team. They endure all of this constant ongoing humiliation with equanimity, poise, resilience. They also have the perfect blend of nihilism with a tiny bit of hope, that I find unbelievably charming."
Kimes praised the fans for their lack of delusion when it comes to the team, citing the recent trade for edge rusher James Pearce as an example.
"Most of them understand that the James Pearce trade in the draft -- the criticism is warranted," said Kimes. "But they also are allowing themselves to get excited and hopeful that one of these pass rushers that they drafted will work out."
Falcons fans have never been known for their optimism, which is somewhat rare in a league where people tend to view their favorite teams with rose-colored glasses.
In 2025, Atlanta will attempt to return to the playoffs for the first time since the 2017 season. The NFL released the full 2025 regular season schedule on Wednesday. Check out our score predictions for all 17 Falcons games.
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