A.C. Flora fans have surely noticed a celebrity in their midst at Falcons’ football games. Georgia State football coach Shawn Elliott trades the Panthers’ blue and white for the blue and red of the Falcons every Friday night as he transforms from college football coach to parent and fan.
Elliott has attended every A.C. Flora football game this year to watch his son, Max, play for the Falcons’ varsity squad. His daughter, Maddyn, is a member of the A.C. Flora cheerleading squad.
“Anytime you have an opportunity to watch your son or daughter in sports or do anything competition wise, it’s pretty special,” Elliott said. “I try to be at everything I can.”
The Georgia State football schedule has allowed Elliott to attend many A.C. Flora games. So far Panther road games have been at UNC-Charlotte and Coastal Carolina University. Elliott believes his streak will likely come to an end this week as his Panthers travel to Louisiana to face the Lousiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns Saturday, October 21.
While he may have to miss out on the Falcons’ game against the Lugoff-Elgin Demons, this season has worked out well.
“The challenges were when Max was in middle school and when he was playing junior varsity,” Elliott said. “Those games were on Wednesday and Thursday nights. Friday nights have been really good for me, especially this year. It’s tough, but I wouldn’t miss them for the world.”
Elliott has balanced being a football coach and dad.
“It’s different when you are a football coach and you watch your son playing the game you love and grew up loving and it’s now your profession,” Elliott said. “I enjoy it because he has such a passion to play this game and gives it everything he’s got and enjoys it. I don’t put any pressure on him. I let him go out there. We don’t even talk about football. It’s just a fun thing to do. It’s exciting for me. Friday nights are pretty special.”
While Elliott may not talk shop too often, he doesn’t hold back when Max does.
“I’m brutally honest with him if he asks me for advice about football,” Elliott said. “If I don’t think he played well, I’ll tell him. Honesty is the key. I encourage him, but when it’s time to talk about what he needs to do to get better, he listens and pays attention. We have a great relationship.”
As the Elliotts continue through the football season and Friday nights come along, Shawn takes pride watching his son and daughter.
“I see a lot of parents try to push their kids to do one or two things,” Elliott said. “I never talked to my son about playing football. I enjoy watching him play. He plays the right way and works hard. He does everything for his team and coaches.
“Friday nights hold a special place for me for two reasons: my daughter who cheers and my son who plays the sport. Even if we were playing for the National Championship on Saturday night, I would still be here watching this game.”
Caption:
Photo by Josh Cruse Georgia State head football coach and A.C. Flora parent Shawn Elliott (l) talks with former A.C. Flora athletic director Ed Moore prior to the Falcons’ game against the Irmo Yellow Jackets on October 13.
Photo by Josh Cruse Georgia State head football coach and A.C. Flora parent Shawn Elliott (l) talks with former A.C. Flora athletic director Ed Moore prior to the Falcons’ game against the Irmo Yellow Jackets on October 13.
Photo by Mike Maddock
A.C. Flora’s Max Elliott
October 18, 2023 | Columbia Star, The (SC)
Author/Byline: Josh Cruse | Section: Article