Former Atlanta great Roddy White (84) had some choice words for former Falcons’ OC Kyle Shanahan. (Josh D. Weiss-US PRESSWIRE)
Former Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Roddy White has a bone to pick with Kyle Shanahan following the latter’s play-calling that led to a 25-point lead evaporating against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LI.
“I’m glad I wasn’t a part of that team because I probably literally would’ve fought him,” White told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Jeff Schultz.
The 11-year wide receiver took issue with Shanahan’s decision not to run the ball after Julio Jones’ catch put Atlanta in field-goal range in the fourth quarter. Shanahan was the team’s offensive coordinator before accepting the head-coaching position with the San Francisco 49ers.
“You destroyed a dream for a city,” White said. “It’s bigger than me. The city of Atlanta needed that championship and you had it. (Team owner) Arthur Blank needed that championship and he deserved to win that game, with everything he’s been through. It was finally our time to win and it just hurt me that we didn’t get it done.”
White claimed he would have jumped offsides after hearing the play call on a second-and-11 play in field-goal range.
Shanahan told reporters he’ll live with those calls the rest of his life, but does not regret taking an aggressive stance during the game.
