Taylor Gabriel’s Long Road from Grieving Teen to Falcons X-Factor

January 13, 2017   ·   Tyler Dunne   ·   Jump to comments

ATLANTA — Nobody recognizes Taylor Gabriel here in his new city. The acrobatic catches off an invisible trampoline. The zero-to-60-in-a-blink acceleration. The piles of twisted ankles left in his dust. None of this imagery has stuck. 
When the Falcons' pyrotechnic wide receiver goes out for dinner, nobody asks him for an autograph, a photo, a handshake. Not that you can blame locals. This kid resembles a Starbucks barista, not the next Antonio Brown. This kid from Abilene Christian is only 5'8", 165 pounds.
Gabriel cringes.
Uh, it is 165, right?
"170, man!" Gabriel says. "170 solid. You know what I mean?"
OK, 165 is the official weight listed by the team, but if you insist, we'll take your word for it.
Everyone in town will know who Gabriel is very soon. He's the one making an effective offense electric. He's the perfect complement to Julio Jones, a 6'3", 220-pound freak show. His 16.5 yards per reception ranks seventh in the league. All year, t...

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