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Behind the Stripes

Tammy Rivera

By Atlanta United FC

January 17^th, 2019

Atlanta connects people from around the world –– a transplant city with that southern flare and hospitality that brings people from all walks of life together. That’s why Atlanta has become a sanctuary for all types of people, a truly united community.

And for Tammy Rivera, the ATL has become that special haven.

Rivera grew up in Baltimore with her mother, and says she didn’t have much. She moved to Atlanta to start a career for herself, dipping her toes into many different fields - she started a clothing line, made her own music, and later became and actress.

She built a career, but more importantly, a better life for her daughter Charlie.

“I have been around the world,” Rivera said. “I’m from up north, but I feel like in Atlanta, especially when you have the up-north mentality like that hustle hard and grind hard mentality, you can come to a place like Atlanta and become a billionaire.”

Living in Atlanta has opened doors for her she might have never found in Baltimore. It’s also the place she met her husband: Atlanta native and hip-hop artist Waka Flocka. They even starred together on Love and Hip Hop Atlanta, which broadcast their day-to-day family life to the world.

“I came from the dirt, the nothing and I’m here," Rivera said. “I’ve built businesses. I’ve started a career. I’ve created a life for me and my daughter, and of course for my husband.”

She may not be from the South, but she’s gotten a close-up view at the city of Atlanta blossoming into one of the cultural capitals of the nation.

“Atlanta is a growing city,” Rivera said. “I think without a doubt in the next few years from now Atlanta will be like LA or New York.”

One major part of that growth has been a whole new team to support. Her husband, Waka Flocka, has been one of Atlanta United’s most diehard fans from the start. So although Rivera has never been a huge sports fan in the past, supporting the Five Stripes has become a family affair.

“We rock out together,” Rivera said. “We are here to support. We have become fans.”

And that’s just one aspect that has made Atlanta United special. It helps newcomers like Rivera, who didn’t know the game before, become fans themselves.

“It’s like a lot of people in Atlanta don’t even know a lot about soccer until the team came down here,” Rivera said.

Waka Flocka attends most ATL UTD matches, and Charlie and Rivera tag along when they can. And, on the night of December 8th, of course, Charlie and Waka cheered on the Rowdy and Proud as they won the Cup. The 5-Stripes have become a way for the family to bond together. Just like the city brought their family together in the first place.

“Atlanta — there is no other place like it,” Rivera said. “I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. This is definitely home. We will be here.”

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