ATHENS, Ala. — Hometown pride is swelling as two of the Limestone County community's native sons, Quez Watkins and Reed Blankenship, prepare for Sunday night's Super Bowl. The county and the City of Athens have deemed February 12 to be a day of honor for the two football standouts.
In a proclamation issued jointly Thursday by Mayor Ronnie Marks and County Commissioner Chair Collin Daly, they write that Quez and Reed "remind our community's students to pursue their dreams by working hard and staying dedicated."
Watkins, Philadelphia wide receiver, is a 2016 alumnus of Athens High. Blankenship, who graduated West Limestone High in 2017, is now a safety for the Eagles.
The two high schools' cheerleading squads spearheaded a marathon of storefront window decoration last Sunday in Downtown Athens, painting the Eagle pairs' numbers and slogans like "Fly Eagles Fly."
“This is an exciting time for our community," West Limestone Cheer sponsor Caila Davis said in an Athens Main Street Facebook post about the impromptu pep rally. We were glad to partner with Athens to show our support for our local guys.”
"We love to celebrate the accomplishments of our hometown, homegrown talent," said Athens Main Street Executive Director Tere Richardson.
Richardson said two watch parties have been planned in the Main Street district: one at Village Pizza, the other at Limestone Legends Billiards.
Viewers and city leaders like Chamber of Commerce President Pammie Jimmar will be sure to cheer them on to victory. "We're so proud of the both of you," Jimmar said in a statement.
Watkins and Blankenship will join the rest of the Philadelphia Eagles in their quest to outplay the Kansas City Chiefs on Super Bowl Sunday.