How Atlanta United, Falcons are paying tribute to Braves legend Hank Aaron

Baseball icon Hank Aaron died Friday at the age of 86.

Baseball legend and Hall of Famer Hank Aaron died Friday at the age of 86. And since then, the tributes honoring Aaron — who endured an onslaught of racism during his record-breaking career — have been abundant, celebrating him both on and off the field. Especially in Atlanta.

After spending most of his Major League career with the Atlanta Braves organization, his iconic No. 44 had, of course, already been retired.

But other Atlanta teams now are paying tribute to one of the greatest home-run hitters of all time too. The Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United FC announced Friday that they will also retire No. 44 for their respective 2021 seasons.

Both teams are owned by Arthur Blank, who said in a statement that the organization is “heartbroken” by Aaron’s passing. He continued:

“He not only made a great impact on the diamond, but in society as well with his caring and genuine spirit, always taking the time to be a friend to all. As an original member of the Falcons Board of Directors, he served as a mentor to so many of our players throughout the years, providing a source of knowledge and support on what it takes to build a winning culture while always displaying a great deal of humility. We loved Hank and his wife, Billye, and we are truly saddened by his passing. May he rest in peace.”

In a joint statement, Atlanta United president Darren Eales described Aaron as “an American hero, a trailblazer and arguably Atlanta’s greatest sports icon”, while Falcons president Rich McKay added:

“He was a true icon and yet when you encountered him, he always made you feel special. He was a great ambassador for the game of baseball, a great ambassador of the City of Atlanta and quite simply a great person.”

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