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Arthur Smith is holding everyone accountable.
The Falcons’ head coach, who is entering his third season in charge of the team, had some fun with one reporter who missed the first two days of training camp.
Smith opened his press conference Friday by handing D. Orlando Ledbetter – the Falcons beat writer for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution – a letter detailing a fine for his absence, according to his AJC colleague Sarah Spencer.
“This letter will serve as notice that you have violated our Training Camp Rules and Article 42 of the NFL Collective Media Agreement Wednesday, July 26, and Thursday, July 27 by your unexcused failure to report to and absence from the first two days of Falcons Training Camp,” Smith’s joke-letter read. “Under the terms of Article 42, Section 1(b)(xi) of the Agreement, you are hereby fined Five Hundred Dollars ($500).
“This is a violation of an important rule meant to jump start your return to play routine and meet with your fellow writers who missed you deeply. I am hereby acknowledging your absence and your are being fined for your actions.
“Please be advised, any future violation of rules or failure to follow team policy will be subject to an escalated fine amount.”
Smith signed the letter.
“I think I’m going to have to start a gofundme page!” Ledbetter said in a quote-tweet with a picture of his fine.
Smith, who is sporting a new look at training camp this year with a mustache, owns a 14-20 record across his two years leading Atlanta and failed to reach the playoffs both seasons. He served as the Titans’ offensive coordinator for two successful seasons along with a plethora of roles in the organization for eight years before taking his first head coaching job with the Falcons.
This year is seemingly a critical one for Atlanta and Smith and he is seemingly making sure everyone is on top of their game.
Even the media.
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