Spanish fans in Atlanta remain loyal after Super Bowl loss
A Barcelona student who watched the 28-3 defeat in person describes the community bond that kept him supporting the Falcons for nearly a decade.
By Lauren Foster ·
Fermin Grau, a business student from Barcelona, watched the Atlanta Falcons lose Super Bowl 51 by a score of 28 to 3 in February 2017. He was in his home country at the time, having chosen the team two years earlier to build a connection with the city before a spring semester at Emory University. He had supported the squad during Dan Quinn’s first season in 2015 and carried that loyalty into the championship game.
The loss shocked Grau, who said he contemplated going to class Monday morning as a supporter of the new world champions. He described the moment as a defining experience for him personally and for the small community of international fans he had joined. He noted that the group had grown slowly, with new members arriving each season to watch games together.
Grau is one of approximately 4,000 Falcons fans in Spain. He estimates that about 2,000 of those supporters are from the Barcelona area. The group meets regularly to watch games, with attendance varying by the quality of the opposing team. He said the fan base has remained stable despite the team’s struggles on the field.
The community includes fans from other parts of Europe and the Americas. Grau mentioned that some members are from Mexico and Canada, while others are from the United States who live abroad. The group uses social media to coordinate viewing parties and share updates. He said the shared experience of watching the games creates a strong bond among members.
Grau said the group’s loyalty is not tied to winning alone. He pointed to the team’s ability to attract fans from a large number of countries as evidence of its global appeal. He said the Falcons are one of the few professional sports teams with such a diverse international following. He added that the team’s presence in Spanish-speaking markets helps maintain interest.
The fan group continues to meet in bars and private homes across Spain. Grau said the next step is to expand the network to other cities in the country. He said the goal is to create a more organized structure for the supporters. He said the group will continue to watch the Falcons regardless of the team’s record.
