FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Raheem Morris’ infectious energy was something all together palpable throughout the entirety of his Monday. It was fully on display. Granted, it wasn’t a normal Monday, of course. It was the day Morris was officially, publicly, introduced as the 19th head coach in Atlanta Falcons history. It was a homecoming for Morris, and the energy fit the word.
His smile never faltered. He gate was always smooth. The mood shifted when Morris walked into every room. There was a familiarity there, too.
As he made his way to the stage for his introductory press conference, he looked out to a sea of faces that make up the Atlanta media market, and many of them he already knew.
“This is a pretty tight crew today,” Morris said through a smile after opening statements from team president Greg Beadles and general manager Terry Fontenot sitting to his right and left, respectively. “I can see I have to loosen you guys up a little bit.”
What followed was a feast of familiarity.
It was seen in the way Morris spoke to media members by name, saying hi to WSB-TV’s Alison Mastrangelo when the mic was passed to her. You noticed it in the way Morris told The Associated Press’ Charles Odum it was nice to see him again when he finished asking his own question. It was in the jokes Morris shot D.J. Shockley’s way, as Morris claimed he could tell the former player now turned Atlanta TV partner with FOX 5 was trying hard to be all professional. It was in the comfort with which 9.29 The Game’s radio host, Tenitra Batiste, addressed Morris as “Coach Rah” before diving into her question.
All of this painted a picture of the true way Morris connects with people. It was a full showing of how engaging Morris is as a leader, speaker and — now — head coach. When Morris said, “this is certainly the best feeling in the world,” nearly every media member in attendance noted those words felt genuine. And also, to a certain extent, rejuvenating.
“I want you guys to be comfortable in this environment,” Morris said. “Because we’re going to be here a lot, right? And it’s pretty cool.”
It was because of Morris, the moment didn’t feel uncomfortable at all.
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