It started with a tweet and ended with something much more permanent.
Sam Jones, an Atlanta United fan and blogger for the SB Nation blog Dirty South Soccer, had an appreciation for Atlanta midfielder Jeff Larentowicz. That appreciation turned into a sort of internet joke and turned Jeff into a hero among a certain section of the fan base.
Then Jeff Larentowicz scored a goal, his first for Atlanta United against Montreal, and that’s where the story takes a rapid turn.
The Atlanta United fan base did what they did best. The tweet passed the 100 retweet threshold in less than half an hour.
Then they decided to do some good, and there was a new challenge: raise more than $1,000 for local soccer-focused nonprofit the Fugees. Atlanta United fans blew by that number again, with the latest donation number reaching twice that amount. And it wan’t just fans: club president Darren Eales chipped in, as well as the man himself, Jeff Larentowicz.
So Sam got the tattoo to commemorate many things: Atlanta United’s unforgettable first season, Jeff Larentowicz’s role in that success, and for doing some good in the local community. And in the video above you can see the final, permanent result. If you'd like to learn more about the Fugees, click here, or to donate, click here.
