Atlanta Falcons Superfan Carolyn “Bird Lady” Freeman was arrested at Sunday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Atlanta police said Freeman had an active warrant for her arrest for swindling a tailgate group out of $14,000.
Freeman was charged with one felony count of theft by deception.
According to Atlanta News First, a group of Kansas City fans paid Freeman to organize a tailgate party during the Chiefs-Falcons game on Sept. 22. But Freeman failed to show up and did not return the money.
She was arrested after Atlanta News First Investigates interviewed her and asked about allegations that she used tailgate party money to pay for car repairs and buy season tickets.
“I don’t need that money,” Freeman said. “I’ve never had a problem with money. I have money; my family has money.”
When asked about the Chiefs tailgate party, Freeman said she never received $14,000 for a tailgate party, and she did not owe anyone the money.
She needs to be banned from Falcons games. She been pulling these scams going back to the Super Bowl scam. She pulled.
— Philip R Cunningham (@BigGuyinGA) November 5, 2024
Freeman was often seen at Falcons home games decked out in one of her custom “Birdlady” outfits.
She was named a 2016 Bud Light NFL Super Fan, and was featured on an Equifax billboard inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium this season.
Freeman, a former police officer, said a car wreck left her bedridden for 12 years. She watched Falcons games on TV from her bed — until one day in 2008 she decided to rise up and become the ultimate team “mascot.”
Tailgate groups asked the Falcons to ban Freeman from attending any tailgate events or games.
The Georgia Attorney General’s office and Atlanta Police are investigating Freeman.
Watch the news coverage below.
