Tasnim Shamma / WABE
The Atlanta Falcons lost Super Bowl LI to the New England Patriots 34-28 in overtime Sunday night.
Football fans left sports bar and house parties dejected after what’s considered the biggest comeback in Super Bowl history.
At the Rivals on Five sports bar in Stone Mountain, the crowd was loud and pumped for the first three quarters of the game.
But when the game went into overtime: a first in Super Bowl history, things got quiet, and waiters started handing out free shots.
After the final score was announced, there were accusations of cheating and some customers were cursing and screaming outside the bar. Others like Rob Neikirk of Lawrenceville just looked sad.
“We’re losing I can’t believe we blew a 25-point lead,” Neikirk said. “That’s the worst in ever. Yeah.”
He said he it was a big deal that the Falcons made it this far, but he said he would have trouble sleeping and making it through work on Monday. 
Niekirk said the Falcons now need to focus on finding a good offensive coordinator to replace Kyle Shanahan, who said he’s leaving to lead the San Francisco 49ers as the team’s head coach.
Falcons fan Zahir Bilal said he’s optimistic .
“I thought the Falcons were going to win, but they got a young team and from this point forward, it’s going to be crush, crush, crush,” Bilal said.
Atlanta native Joe Sleppy said he’s proud of the Falcons for making it to the Super Bowl and is looking forward to next season in the new stadium.
“A lot of missed opportunity and heartbreak, but we love Atlanta,” Sleppy said.
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