An Atlanta United goal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium is one of the loudest, most electric moments in sports. But in the sold-out sea of screaming, jumping, and dancing red, black and gold, you can see one speck of blue. That’s Brian Cooper.
“I have the best position in this stadium. I call this the hot spot.”
Fans know him as “Brian the S.A.F.E. Guy,” after the company that handles security and guest services for Mercedes-Benz Stadium. He started as one of the many stadium employees in their signature blue polos, but he slowly turned into something else.
“It all started when we were at Bobby Dodd Stadium. I was near the fan section but not really in it, but their chants were so loud and all game. I just kept listening to them and ended up learning them.”
When Atlanta United moved to the new stadium, Brian was stationed right in the thick of the supporters’ section. Since then, Brian has become a cult hero – leading chants, celebrating goals and becoming a fan favorite.
“When they score the fans go crazy on me, but I don’t want you to think I don’t do my job. I just cheer too. The fans listen to me now, which makes my job so much easier."
"I think the fans have a good time, they’re staying safe. Every stadium needs to be this way.”
Brian sits in the stands before games now – looking over what he calls the most beautiful stadium in the world – buzzing with anticipation before the match. He knows all the chants’ words by heart, but there’s still one cheer that sticks out to him above all the others.
“I would love to – just for one game – hit the drum and let everybody say A-T-L. I probably can’t do that, but that is my favorite part. Of all the cheers that we do, that’s my favorite because you really hear how loud the stadium gets. It’s crazy.”
It’s not like this everywhere Brian has worked. He’s worked security at the Georgia Dome for years, from concerts to Falcons games and everything in between. But this is the first time he’s witnessed an atmosphere like this.
“If Falcons fans were like this, we would win every game,” he laughs. “Other sections I’ve worked, they just like to sit down and watch the game. This supporters section is always loud."
"If I were to come to the game, this is where I want to sit. That’s why I like soccer, I love to come to work now.”
As Brian has fallen in love with the game, the fans have fallen in love with him. They gave him a red, black and gold beaded necklace – that he now wears to every game – and have now pitched in for a scarf and jersey just for him.
“At first, I wasn’t going to come to one match because I have another job, but I decided to take the day off. Now I’m going to be here every game. I have to because I think they’re going to miss me. They’re going to get here and say ‘Where’s Brian?’”
He may be wearing blue, but Brian is yet another Atlantan that has grown to embrace the red, black and gold.
“I’ve never gotten as into it as I do here."
"I love coming to work now. For real, I can’t wait for the match days to come. When I go home, I say I had a good time.”
© 2026 Atlanta United FC
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