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Arthur Blank has owned the Falcons for a while now, and he’s seen some genuine triumph and a lot of heartbreak along the way. Now he’s seen his first Super Bowl, and he seems to believe pretty strongly it will not be the last.
In a conversation with D. Orlando Ledbetter, Blank touched on his long-term hopes for the franchise, and while he’s always bullish, he rarely sounds this ebullient about the team’s chances.
"I think we're in a great position...I look forward to this year and many years to come. It's not about a one-trick pony or one-year wonder. It's about creating a sustainably winning organization. And we've done that."
Of course, Blank appeared to believe that during parts of the Mike Smith era, when the team was a perennial winner and playoff threat until the collapse hit in 2013. The difference is that this team is younger, more talented, and actually pushed through to the Super Bowl. Blank’s faith appears to be warranted, but the 2017 season will tell us a lot about whether this team is sustainably good or a flash in the pan, even so.
For Blank, opening a brand new stadium following a Super Bowl berth is (almost) as good as it gets, so it’s not a surprise he’s feeling buoyant. Let’s hope the Falcons reward his faith.