Former Falcons player 'excited' to watch son play in Super Bowl

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ATLANTA — Former Atlanta Falcons linebacker Jessie Tuggle has a special interest in the year's Super Bowl.

Not only is his former team playing in the Super Bowl for the first time in nearly 20 years, but his son will be taking the field for the Falcons.

Starting Monday, Channel 2 Action News will have special Atlanta Falcons coverage LIVE from Houston every weeknight at 6:30 p.m. 

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Tuggle, also known as "The Hammer," played 14 seasons with the Falcons. He was a part of the team that played in the Super Bowl in 1999.

His son, defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, is in his second year with the Falcons after being drafted out of Clemson in 2015.

Channel 2's Berndt Petersen met up with Tuggle at a park in Johns Creek.

"I'll tell you what. I'm excited because it brings back so many memories from 1998, the year we went to the Super Bowl," Tuggle said.

Tuggle was at the Georgia Dome on Sunday for the NFC Championship game. He said it brought back memories from the year his team won the title.

"When the game was over and Morten Andersen had kicked the field goal, I was lying on the turf and thinking, 'We're going to the Super Bowl.' At that time it was in Miami. So last week, when I knew the game was over, I said, 'Hey, the Falcons are headed to Houston.' What an awesome feeling," he said.

Tuggle said he is ready to cheer on the next generation of Falcons, including his son.

"As a parent, you always want your kids to be successful. I've been so fortunate with all three of them. My daughter graduated from grad school and both my boys playing in the NFL. It's a privilege to play in the NFL," he said.

Tuggle's entire family is looking at making the trip to Houston.