Pro Bowl selections and their alternates were released on Thursday. The Atlanta Falcons were well represented by Chris Lindstrom and KhaDarel Hodge as nominations along with eight alternates. 

One of the most egregious omissions from the alternate list was third-year wide receiver Drake London. 

Only Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, Minnesota Vikings star Justin Jefferson, and Detroit Lions star Amon-Ra St. Brown finished better in all three major receiving categories (catches, yards, touchdowns) than London through 16 regular season games. 

His 90 catches are eighth among wide receivers and his 1,084 yards puts him ninth, and his seven touchdowns puts him in a tie for 13th. London battled quarterback inconsistency his first two years in the league, and 2024 was no different for the 23-year-old. 

When fellow wide receiver Darnell Mooney inevitably gets one reception Sunday versus the Carolina Panthers, he and London will be the first duo in the NFL this season to eclipse 1,000 yards each. Both having done so while managing a new head coach, a new offensive coordinator, and two new quarterbacks. 

The four NFC receivers who got Pro Bowl bids – Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Terry McLaurin have valid credentials.

The list of alternates includes Mike Evans (Buccaneers), Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Seahawks), Malik Nabers (Giants), and AJ Brown (Eagles).

Smith-Njigba edges London on catches and yards, but London has him on touchdowns. Same goes for Nabers. It’s hard to argue against the numbers Brown has put up despite missing three games at the beginning of the year.

Evans might be getting the veteran nod on this one. London has him beat in receptions and yards, Evans got the Pro Bowl nod.

London is clearly having his best season of his young career. One that’s worthy of some Pro Bowl recognition. If he continues putting up numbers, and there doesn’t seem to be any reason to think he won’t keep improving, the recognition will come.

Opposing defenses know exactly who Drake London is.

THOMSON, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The New Orleans attacker once lived in Thomson, where he was married to a woman before they divorced after three years.

It was during a time when he served in the Army, and we’re working to confirm he worked at Fort Eisenhower, which was then known as Fort Gordon.

ISIS-inspired attacker Shamsud-Din Jabbar steered around a police blockade and plowed into a crowd of New Year’s revelers before exiting the truck and shooting at people on Bourbon Street. He was shot dead by police, but not before killing at least 14 people.

Authorities said Thursday they believed he acted alone, yet they’re seeking additional potential suspects in the attack that happened as countless Georgians were in New Orleans to see the Bulldogs play in the Sugar Bowl.

Jabbar and Tiera Symond Whitfield were married in Augusta on Sept. 15, 2013, after receiving a marriage license in McDuffie County, according to court records.

They divorced in DeKalb County 2016 over irreconcilable differences and stating that there was no hope they would get back together, according to news reports.

Online records showed Jabbar lived on Holt Street in Thomson for a time, apparently during the marriage.

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5. Suspect in deadly Bourbon Street attack attended Georgia State University, school says
6. As UGA fans flock to New Orleans for Sugar Bowl, police say city is ‘safe’ after Bourbon Street attack

When we asked the Thomson police chief about a connection between Jabbar and the city, we were referred to the FBI.

The FBI told us: “We are following up and doing interviews with relatives from Georgia in that area.”

News 12 also contacted Fort Eisenhower to learn whether he’d ever been at the post when he was in the Army.

Fort Eisenhower referred us up the chain of command to the Pentagon, where an Army spokesperson told us:

“Shamsud-Din Bahar Jabbar was in the regular Army as a Human Resource Specialist (42A) and Information Technology (IT) Specialist (25B) from March 2007 until January 2015 and then in the Army Reserve as an IT Specialist (25B) from January 2015 until July 2020. He deployed to Afghanistan from February 2009 to January 2010. He held the rank of Staff Sergeant at the end of service.”

Although the Army wouldn’t directly confirm he’d served at Fort Eisenhower – then known as Fort Gordon – the service periods released by the Pentagon do match up with the time he lived in Thomson.

Meanwhile, authorities are investigating possible connections between Jabbar and another soldier who died in another apparent attack attempt Wednesday.

Active-duty soldier Matthew Livelsberger died in a Tesla Cybertruck packed with explosives outside a Trump hotel in Las Vegas. Seven people were injured.

Authorities say they don’t believe the Las Vegans and New Orleans incidents were related.

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WASHINGTON – A high-security presence has enveloped the nation’s capital as officials prepare for a series of high-profile events in the coming weeks, compounded by heightened concerns following recent vehicle attacks in New Orleans and Las Vegas.

Early Monday morning, U.S. Capitol Police arrested a telecommunications contractor who drove onto a Capitol sidewalk and parked. Although the incident was later deemed non-threatening, authorities are leaving no room for error amid mounting security concerns.

“We have got a lot going on here, and clearly, we want to ensure that everybody is safe,” said Capitol Police Chief Thomas Manger.

The heightened precautions come ahead of several significant events, including the certification of the 2024 election on January 6, coinciding with the fourth anniversary of the Capitol riot, and the funeral for former President Jimmy Carter, scheduled from January 16 to 18. 

President-elect Donald Trump is set to hold a victory rally at Capital One Arena on January 19, the eve of his inauguration.

Mayor Muriel Bowser expressed solidarity with those affected by the recent attacks.

“I know that collectively, we are sending our love and prayers to our fellow Americans in New Orleans, and I especially want to hold my sister mayor, LaToya Cantrell, as she leads her city through these trying times,” Bowser said.

Security measures already include steel fences, roadblocks, and an increased police presence around key venues. Officials anticipate further road closures, particularly near Capital One Arena, where vehicle restrictions are typically enforced during major events.

Given the use of vehicles in recent attacks, retired Secret Service agent Jeff James emphasized the importance of flexibility in managing security operations for events occurring in quick succession. 

“You need that ability to bring in people from other parts of the country,” he said.

With thousands of visitors expected in D.C. over the next month, officials are determined to ensure the capital remains secure amid a challenging and fast-evolving security landscape.