Kyle Pitts brought his star power to Phipps Plaza on Wednesday afternoon, stepping away from the practice field to connect with Falcons fans at an Adidas-sponsored event.
The tight end, fresh off securing a three-year, $54 million contract extension in June, spent his afternoon engaging with the community in a relaxed setting. With his sixth NFL season on the horizon—all spent with the Falcons organization—Pitts appeared energized and accessible to the crowd that gathered for the free Fan Fest.
During a Q&A segment, Pitts spoke with professional soccer freestyler Frankie Flow, a conversation that revealed an unexpected passion beyond the football field. The two connected over their shared admiration for the global game.
"I love the NFL and the Falcons," Flow said during the interaction. "When Michael Vick was the quarterback, he was somebody I admired, and seeing Kyle Pitts was awesome. We wear the same jersey number, and he's an Adidas athlete who gets to go to World Cup games."
For Pitts, soccer represents something different from his day job. The 25-year-old has found genuine interest in the sport's culture and its biggest names. He spoke openly about his respect for Argentina's Lionel Messi—not just as a player, but as a figure whose longevity and endurance mirror the qualities he aims to bring to his own career.
Pitts mentioned he wants to wear Messi's signature Adidas F50 cleats in an actual game someday. The comparison Pitts drew between Messi and former NFL quarterback Tom Brady was intentional. Both athletes have extended their primes far beyond what most observers expected, competing at the highest levels well into their late thirties.
In his first five NFL seasons, Pitts has played all 17 games in four of them—a durability mark that's harder to achieve than it sounds in modern football. Last season, he delivered his most productive campaign, recording 88 catches for 928 yards and five touchdowns.
Wednesday's appearance came at a natural break in the football calendar. Training camp isn't set to begin in full until July 29, giving Pitts a window to step outside his usual routine. Soccer has become a genuine escape during the offseason—a way to decompress before the intensity of the season ramps back up.
After leaving Phipps Plaza, Pitts headed to an Argentina-England World Cup semifinal being hosted in Atlanta. It wasn't his first World Cup experience. Earlier in the summer, he'd attended Cape Verde's scoreless draw against Spain during the group stage in June.
When the formal Q&A wrapped up, Pitts transitioned into the meet-and-greet. The line stretched with supporters wearing Falcons jerseys—some sporting Pitts' name and number, others showing allegiance to fellow receiver Drake London. Pitts moved through the crowd with visible ease, offering handshakes, posing for photographs and signing autographs.
Community appearances like Wednesday's reinforce the connection between star players and the city that supports them. As Pitts prepares for another push toward the playoffs, moments like these also serve a practical purpose—they keep him grounded. Whether he's watching Messi orchestrate play from midfield or stepping into the meet-and-greet line at a shopping plaza, Pitts seems to understand that his presence matters beyond what happens on Sunday.
