10%

Behind the Stripes

The Morrow Family

By Atlanta United FC

August 5^th, 2019

There are many paths that bring people to Atlanta. Maybe it’s the culture, the weather, the music or the food. Maybe it’s a job. For Jonelle Morrow, it was family.

“I grew up in California and this one brought me down to Atlanta,” Jonelle says with a smile toward her husband Jacob.

Jacob Morrow is from Snellville, Georgia, and before he first put on army boots, he wore soccer cleats. After two years in collegiate soccer at Southern Polytechnic College, he joined the National Guard.

“I wanted help to finish paying school, but it’s always something I wanted to do,” Jacob said. “I wanted to get experience outside of the U.S. and around the world.”

Jacob got life experiences, for sure, but he also gained the most important person in his life. Jacob and Jonelle met in South Carolina and have been together ever since –– their son Jackson is even named after Fort Jackson, where they first met. And while Jacob hung up his soccer boots, it remained a part of his life. So when the family moved to the Atlanta area and heard about a new MLS team named Atlanta United, they were fully on board.

“We have come to a lot of games,” Jonelle says, pointing out their first match was back in Bobby Dodd Stadium. “This is our family thing that we do together.”

Jackson, who’s 7 years old now, loves playing soccer. Whether it’s in a youth league, in the back yard, or just kicking against a wall, he wants to play any moment he gets. And that passion on the pitch extends into the stands.

“He knows everything,” Jonelle says with a laugh. “He talks about everything going on. I didn’t know a 7-year-old could break down everything. His grandpa has no knowledge of soccer, but Jackson tells him everything.”

Jackson’s favorite player on the team is Josef Martinez. As he prepared to hit the Golden Spike, his face lit up when he got a pre-match wave and a wink from the team’s star striker. But although getting to see Josef Martinez up close was a highlight, it couldn’t compare with what was to come next.

“My favorite part of the day was when my mommy showed up,” Jackson says, barely able to contain his excitement.

Jackson thought his mom was still in Afghanistan. But when he turned around to receive the hammer to hammer the Golden Spike, there was his mom –– a family reunited and a moment that brought plenty of fans in the stadium to tears.

“To have this, this was more than we expected,” Jonelle says, full of gratitude. “This was great. We were talking about how as soon as I get home we would go to an Atlanta United match. So it’s been amazing.”

Like so many others in the city, Jonelle and Jacob see Atlanta United as more than just a team. It’s a movement that’s changed the city.

“To see so many people all around the world come together and have so much energy in a period of time. It’s a game changer for the city,” Jonelle said. “My kids will be able to say my parents were Atlanta United fans.”

As a military family, Jonelle and Jacob know about the deepest bonds of camaraderie. They say they see that same sense of community in the stands at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

“When you are in the military, there are people you don’t know and you meet them in basic training, and they become your family,” Jonelle explains. “It’s just like here, just a shorter period of time. That comradery and that family is a similarity for sure.”

For the Morrow family, Atlanta United is already something that’s given them memories they will cherish. But to embrace on the capo stand and hammer in the Golden Spike in front of a record crowd of supporters in the stand is certainly one they’ll never forget.

“This blew us away. We are so thankful,” Jacob shares with appreciation. “It’s amazing because our kids will remember this day for the rest of our lives.”

As for Jonelle after a long emotional and exciting day, she said, “It’s a blur. We are so thankful for everything Atlanta United has done for us, and we are so grateful to be back together. My family is all here now, and we have this happily ever after.”

Button Label

Story Told With

Start publishing stories like this