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Watch Ric Flair hype buddy Julio Jones, fire up Atlanta Falcons

Posted: Aug 10th 2016 By: Mark Inabinett

Atlanta wide receiver Julio Jones invited Ric Flair to training camp on Tuesday, and the Nature Boy fired up the Falcons and recorded a pro-wrestling-style promo video for the former Alabama standout.

Flair called Jones "the greatest wide receiver in the NFL" and managed to work Washington Redskins cornerback Josh Norman into it, too.

Jones and Norman were All-Pro selections in 2015, when Norman played for the Carolina Panthers, an NFC South rival of Atlanta's.

Jones and the Falcons kick off their four-game preseason schedule on Thursday, when they host Norman and the Redskins at 6 p.m. CDT.

"I met Julio at Lake Lanier," Flair told ESPN about the former Foley High School star, "and my family has been big Falcons fans. I am a Falcon fan now. It's easy to say you're a fan of Tom Brady and the Patriots. But now I want someone in this conference to step up, and this could be Atlanta's year. The Panthers gave up a lot on defense. I think they can do it, if everyone stays healthy.

"I think Julio is one of the most wonderful, most polite, most articulate guys I've ever met. From texting and talking and just being so kind to people, he doesn't have to be, but he's such a quality guy. He's first-class.''

Flair also handled the breakdown at the end of Tuesday's practice.

"You could see the energy,'' Atlanta coach Dan Quinn said. "(He) was talking with us and having some fun. So it was great to have his support and being a part of it for us today. You could tell he's a big fan, and we're also a big fan of his.''