Falcons rookie quarterback motivated by memories
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. - Falcons rookie quarterback Kurt Benkert has answered the question before, so he was ready to go.
"It's not something you'd expect from a quarterback in the NFL, a quarterback in college," said Benkert.
So the undrafted signal caller rolled up his left sleeve and told the story.
"There's a lot of stuff to it, long story short, I was born on my uncle's birthday a year after he was killed. [My tattoo] is kind of a tribute to him," said Benkert, looking down at "KJB" inked on his arm. "I have the same name as him, that's the initials. Just different things that have happened that helped me to this point I'm at now."
The tattoo wraps around his arm and includes other elements, like a lion, a Spartan, the word "strength" written in Greek, his wedding date and a favorite Bible verse, Jeremiah 29:11. The artwork, from his uncle's initials to the scripture, are motivations and reminders for a player who is used to overcoming odds.
After not being highly recruited out of high school, Benkert went to East Carolina University, before transferring to Virginia. He was undrafted after his college career, signing a free agent deal with the Falcons.
"He's a talented guy, works extremely hard," said starting quarterback Matt Ryan.
Head coach Dan Quinn says he's been impressed, noting Benkert is competing for the third-string quarterback job or a spot on the practice squad, with Ryan and backup Matt Schaub locked in place.
After Benkert's first preseason game, Quinn said he kept "seeing the arrow going up" for the rookie. After some struggles in preseason game two, including throwing a pick-six, Quinn says that it's just part of the growth process.
"I'd say the arrow wasn't as strong in game two, that's not a knock on him, as much as it's life at that position as a young player," said Quinn.
Benkert says he's trying not to think a few weeks down the road when the roster is cut down.
"It's tough to not do that, but just re-wiring back in and focusing on every little task every day, rather than focusing on a few weeks from now," said Benkert.
As for that tattoo, Benkert says it's nice his family can see a tribute to his uncle as he plays on football's biggest stage. That's especially true for one family member, who happens to be the artist behind the ink.
"My dad did it, he does tattoos," said Benkert. "I think it's cool. It's not something I think about all the time ... but I have come from stuff."
Benkert says he does have plans to add more art to his left arm or nearby; perhaps a Falcon, if he can overcome another hurdle and make the team.