ATLANTA — Some fans at Labor Day’s Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game say Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank was a major reason they wanted to attend the contest between the Georgia Yellowjackets and Tennessee Vols.
It had to do with what Blank wanted the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium to be.
"When he was describing what he was putting into it, and how he was trying to invest in this city, we thought that was really important. We are from the South. We thought, if somebody is investing in this, we want to be part of it,” Tennessee Vols fan Jewel Bunch said.
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It was true for fans on both sides of the ball, and GA Tech fans know a thing or two about engineering.
"Between the big screen, the facility itself, the art and decor---it's an engineering marvel. It's something pretty special and we're looking forward to seeing it,” Georgia Tech fan Greg Westbrook said.
Many said the game had the atmosphere of a bowl game. A national audience, on a holiday, in a brand-new stadium.
"Tech is not traditionally a top ten power. But the fact that they're playing on Labor Day gives them a lot of exposure,” Georgia Tech fan Craig Stafford said, "We were here five years ago in the Georgia Dome for a Chick-fil-A Kickoff. It's very important for Tennessee fans to be part of a Kickoff game,” Vols fan Jewel Bunch said.
Cox Media Group
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