FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Atlanta Falcons coach Raheem Morris addressed a misappropriated viral clip of quarterback Michael Penix Jr., calling the entire situation “a joke” that “disappoints you” about how people act online.
In the clip from his Wednesday press conference, Penix talks about his fiancée and his former coaches as people he can support. Some who shared the segment made the jump to the headline that Penix doesn't have anyone on the Falcons coaching staff or roster for him, an insinuation that spread on social media over the past few days.
“Stop looking for things about a young man,” Morris said Friday. “You don't need these things with him. It is what it is. But all those things that people do, it doesn't matter that they affect this building.
“I just feel bad for the kid. I don't want the kid to have to deal with things that don't matter or things that aren't real… Let his problems be his problems, like third chances. Let's fix that. Don't make it up [a thing] That doesn't exist.”
Penix was asked to clarify what he meant during the news conference Friday, but he declined, saying everyone at the Falcons facility knows the truth.
Morris said he and Penix were joking about the situation at practice this week. Morris said Penix has himself, offensive coordinator Zac Robinson, quarterbacks coach DJ Williams, offensive passing game coordinator/wide receivers coach TJ Yates and senior offensive assistant Ken Zampese to lean on. Robinson, Williams and Yates played quarterback. Morris also mentioned the contributions of senior quarterback Kirk Cousins, who backs up Penix.
Williams said he talks to Penix and the other Falcons quarterbacks more than he talks to his kids. He said he didn't need to have a conversation with Penix about the viral clip.
“To be honest, I don't even pay attention to it,” Williams said. “As far as we know. I mean, everything else is just elevator music.”
Penix has had an up-and-down first full season as the Falcons' starting quarterback. He is completing 58.8% of his passes for 1,807 yards with nine touchdowns and three interceptions. Penix's 53.6 QBR is 19th in the NFL.
The Falcons (3-6) have lost four straight heading into a home game against the division rival Carolina Panthers on Sunday.
Falcons running back Bijan Robinson said he talks to Penix “every day.” He has discussed with Penix how the media can take a clip and “bloat it out of proportion.”
“Everyone is here to help,” Robinson said. “Everyone wants to be successful at the end of the day. So for us, everyone in this building, we all support each other. That's why I tell everyone, the outside world, the outside world is going to try to divide us and try very hard. So we have to keep our faith high, and that will just help us get through.”
