ATLANTA | Complete tailgate Near the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, two people stand out whose jerseys are decorated with the number 65. Next to them, a family of football fans decided to plan their annual sports trip to Georgia. His career is only in its infancy, but Matthew Bergeron is already building a small fan club of Quebecers in Atlanta.
Mathieu Veillette, who himself achieved a good level of football as a former defensive back at Laval University Rouge et Or, did not miss Bergeron’s debut with his brother Luc and his father Marcel.
“It is certain that we are watching Bergeron, just as we watched Laurent Duvernay-Tardif when we saw him play a game in Pittsburgh.
“The prerequisites for a great career are there. He’s quite big and you can’t train that. He seems like a serious guy and is part of a team that likes to run the ball. I think the fit is perfect,” he smiled.
Logical goal
Every fall, the Veillette clan hits the road to combine the joys of the NFL with an NCAA football game and another big baseball game.
“When we started thinking about our destination, we didn’t talk about Atlanta. Among other things, we looked for Dallas or Denver. Then we realized that in Atlanta we had the opportunity to go to the Braves on Friday, to the University of Georgia on Saturday and to the Falcons on Sunday, in addition to having a Quebecer as a starter. Everything was there!” said family man Marcel Veillette, cousin of the fitness trainer of many athletes in Quebec, Raymond Veillette.
When Falcons guard Matt Hennessy was sidelined during training camp, the Veillette family, without gloating over anyone else’s misfortune, quickly realized they would be witnessing Bergeron’s NFL debut.
“You take advantage of your chance when it’s over,” emphasized the third member of the clan, Luc.
The 65 and a flag
David Guilbert and Willy Boivin also didn’t get their turn. Being football lovers at heart, they had the opportunity to connect with Bergeron on several occasions as part of their Premier et les buts podcast.
Accompanied by their accomplice Martin St-Jean, the thieves proudly wore the Falcons’ 65 jersey with the Bergeron name embroidered on the shoulders. They took their place at the Falcons’ home with their Quebec flag.
“This is one page of the history of Quebec football,” said Willy Boivin bluntly.
“Young people in Quebec can dream of seeing a Quebec player on the field starting as a rookie. It is impressive. Knowing the sacrifices Matthew has made to reach this level is inspiring,” he continued.
“We have a guy who starts in the biggest professional sports league in North America and is still super down-to-earth. We are experiencing a magical moment,” added David Guilbert.
A magical first moment, but certainly not the last.