Ben Garland, the Falcons' do-everything Air Force graduate, could play key Super Bowl role
HOUSTON – Alex Mack, the star center who anchors the Atlanta Falcons’ offensive line, is expected to play in Super Bowl LI despite a nagging fibula injury he suffered in the NFC Championship Game two weeks ago.
But if the pain becomes too severe for Mack – whom ESPN reported Sunday morning had suffered a “chip fracture” – or his mobility is too limited, the Falcons will call on Ben Garland, the team’s do-everything player who has taken a unique path to the NFL.
Garland graduated from the Air Force Academy in 2010 and, after spending training camp with the Denver Broncos as an undrafted rookie, had to make a decision that would shape the rest of his life. He weighed whether to take the spot in fighter pilot training that he earned during his time at the Academy, or give up his dream of flying and pursue a career in the NFL.
“I worked my entire Academy career to get that pilot slot and I wanted to be a pilot. I dreamed about that since I was a little kid. I got the pilot slot and I have this amazing career and then I also have this unbelievable opportunity that every kid dreams about,” Garland told Paste BN Sports. “I thought about it, prayed about it, talked to lot of my mentors, and it was just the fact that I knew I would regret it if I didn't go for it.”
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Garland picked the NFL and joined the National Guard, where he served two years as a communications officer before he was allowed to return to football full-time in 2012. He often wonders what his life would be like had he chose differently, but he has no regrets that he’s playing football for a living instead of flying an A-10 Thunderbolt.
Still, his NFL career hasn’t been easy. He spent two years on the Broncos’ practice squad and repeatedly changed positions - from defensive end to defensive tackle, to offensive guard to fullback and tight end - before finally earning his spot on the Falcons’ roster as the top reserve interior lineman, backing up both guards and Mack.
And he still dabbles on defense, too, and was credited with a safety in the Falcons’ divisional-round playoff win against Seattle when he touched Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson down in the end zone.
“To have one guy cover the three inside spots definitely helps us. And to be as good a player as he is, it really adds a lot of depth to our offensive line,” starting guard Andy Levitre told Paste BN Sports. “We have some good depth even behind Ben, but for him to be as good as he is, and still be able to cover three spots, if God forbid someone got hurt, I don't think we'd miss a beat with Ben.”
And while the Falcons sounded optimistic all week that Mack wouldn’t be limited in the Super Bowl, Garland was preparing as if he’d have to play. During the hour-long media availabilities on Wednesday and Thursday, most players scrolled through their phones or chatted amongst each other. Garland brought his iPad to watch film and take notes. Later at practices at Rice University, he took some snaps with the starting offense.
“I love my role," Garland said. "My goal is obviously to start, I want to be that type of player, but I'm going to work my tail off and do whatever I can in that position until I'm in the spot I want to be."
Follow Lindsay H. Jones on Twitter @bylindsayhjones.
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