Atlanta Falcons

Three Washington Huskies Suit Up For Superbowl Bound Atlanta Falcons

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 10:41 p.m. ET

Fansided, Bret Stuter/FanSided via The Husky Haul

Dec 11, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Atlanta Falcons tight end Joshua Perkins (left) and Los Angeles Rams linebacker Cory Littleton pose after exchanging jerseys at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The Falcons defeated the Rams 42-14. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Superbowl Week means plenty of festivities, tailgating, parties, and of course, football. And this time, three former Washington Huskies will be playing for Superbowl Bound Atlanta Falcons.

The Atlanta Falcons face off against the New England Patriots in the 2017 Superbowl. If you are like me, your team is not competing in this one, and so, it’s tough to decide which team to root for. Well, wonder no more.

You see, the New England Patriots do not have a single Washington Husky on their roster. Meanwhile, the Atlanta Falcons have three players on the roster from UW. Unfortunately, star cornerback Desmond Trufant will be sidelined, and neither tight-end Joshua Perkins nor safety Dashon Goldson are starters for the Falcons.

That means that neither quarterback Matt Ryan nor wide receiver Julio Jones will be looking over their shoulders at a Washington Husky in the MVP nominations. But stranger things have happened. Lets look at the three Huskies:

Joshua Perkins

6-foot-3 227 pounds, Cerritos, CA Atlanta Falcons #82

The fact that Tight End Joshua Perkins played in just eight games for the Atlanta Falcons in the regular season does not give a Washington Husky fan much to root for. But the fact that he converted three of five catches for 42 yards and a touchdown should not go unnoticed.

In the NFL, teams throw the opposition off their game by surprising and playing unexpectedly. Perkins would certainly fit the bill for “surprise!” player. Do not be surprised if he has a pass thrown his way in the end zone. With so many receiving threats on the team, he may be overlooked enough to come out a hero.

More from The Husky Haul

Sep 11, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons cornerback Desmond Trufant (21) celebrates his interception from Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (not pictured) in the first quarter at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

Desmond Trufant

6-foot-0 190 pounds, Tacoma, WA Atlanta Falcons #21

A year after making the Pro Bowl, and the year his team is competing in the Superbowl, cornerback Desmond Trufant is done for the season with a torn pectoral muscle. He’s been one of the best players on the Falcons’ defense. In nine games, he defended four passes and intercepted one. Opposing quarterbacks throw elsewhere when Trufant is on the field.

Unfortunately for the Falcons, and for Trufant, he will not be on the field. As November 2016 ended, the team placed Trufant on injured reserve and promoted Jalen Collins to the starting role.

Oct 9, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Atlanta Falcons defensive back Dashon Goldson (38) in the first quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Falcons won 23-16. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Dashon Goldson

6-foot-2 200 pounds, Carson, CA Atlanta Falcons #38

Safety Dashon Goldson is playing in his tenth season in the NFL. After being cut from the team at week six, he was re-signed to the team following injuries to the defensive backfield. He was a pro-bowler in both the 2011 and 2012 seasons with the San Francisco 49ers.

While he was added to the team as an insurance policy, do not rule out the desire in the heart of a veteran player to earn a ring. If he gets the call, he’ll make the play.

The Washington Huskies have been launching NFL careers for decades. If you plan to watch the game but hadn’t given much thought as to who you would be rooting for, you now have a reason to lean in favor of the Atlanta Falcons.