Atlanta Falcons star Bijan Robinson sent social media into a frenzy after comparing head coach Kevin Stefanski with Martin Luther King.
After the Falcons moved to 1-2 with a win over the Green Bay Packers on Thursday Night Football, the running back waxed lyrical over the coach’s inspiring speech.
Speaking post-game, he said: ‘Obviously we lost last week. He went right to the locker room… I don’t know if he drunk some coffee or something but he said this speech and it was like Martin Luther King was in there. I was like, woah!
‘He just brought all the players together and was saying: ‘Are we going to let this loss define us? Is this who we’re going to be as a team? Or are we going to change this?”
Bemused social media users quickly pounced on a viral clip of the post-game interview, questioning the comparison from the Falcons running back.
Robinson himself later spoke on the matter, writing on X: ‘Yup I [sic] just saying stuff sometimes lol. Was a [sic] awesome speech for the team though’.
Falcons star Bijan Robinson compared head coach Kevin Stefanski with Martin Luther King
On the comments, Stefanski said: ‘I don’t think Dr. King used as many F-bombs as I did’
Though social media users had already piled on Robinson for the comments, that didn’t stop Stefanski speaking out and joking about the remarks.
‘I don’t think Dr. King used as many F-bombs as I did,’ he said Friday, per ESPN.
The Falcons had endured a winless opening two games to the NFL season – after defeats to the Steelers and Panthers – before beating Green Bay 35-14 on Thursday.
Robinson played a crucial role in the win, putting up 194 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 29 carries at Lambeau Field.
The dominant showing was a welcome sight for Stefanski’s squad, who had failed to reach the red zone through their opening two weeks before beating the Packers.
And while Stefanski helped inspire Atlanta to win, his Green Bay counterpart Matt LaFleur faced calls to be fired after their dismal performance on the night.
The Packers fell apart on Thursday Night Football and slumped to their second defeat of the season after previously losing to the Vikings in Week 1.
Robinson played a vital role in the Falcons earning their first win of the season over Green Bay
Despite entering the evening as heavy favorites over the Falcons, Green Bay was dominated on both sides of the line of scrimmage.
Things initially started well for the hosts when they intercepted Michael Penix Jr on Atlanta’s opening drive, setting up an early touchdown for Christian Watson.
However, the wheels quickly fell off in spectacular fashion with the Falcons reeling off 27 unanswered points while Green Bay’s offense repeatedly stuttered.
The Packers’ backfield mustered a dismal 17 rushing yards all night, with Marshawn Lloyd and Kaleb Johnson completely stifled by the Falcons defense.
