Falcons Star Grady Jarrett Cites Racism In Atlanta Restaurant Snub

The Falcons star was reportedly kicked out for not obliging to the restaurant's dress code.

Jeremy Brener | Apr 22, 2022

Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett is one of the most recognizable faces in the city. However, that didn't stop one of Atlanta's most high-end restaurants from denying service to him at the door.

Grady Jarrett

The Buckhead-area restaurant, Le Bilboquet, has a strict dress code that does not allow sweat pants or athletic attire.

“I was embarrassed.”@AtlantaFalcons Defensive End @GradyJarrett says he was denied service at #LeBilboquet restaurant in Buckhead because of the way he was dressed. The restaurant has a dress code.
Hear from Grady and from restaurant management, beginning at 4 on Ch. 2.@wsbtv pic.twitter.com/PdoOgdGNMR
— Audrey Washington (@AudreyWSBTV) April 21, 2022

In a picture shown by WSB Channel 2 reporter Audrey Washington, Jarrett appeared to be wearing a green sweat suit, which would put him out of the restaurant's dress code.

But Jarrett claimed on his Twitter account that he was not treated fairly because other restaurant customers were also out of dress code, but were allowed service.

I would agree if I was the only one there in the attire. Thx former Clemson Alum , Do some research like I wish I had done on the previous problems this establishment has dealt with. Just spreading awareness my guy. #GoTigers https://t.co/8FenulUvvx
— Grady Jarrett (@GradyJarrett) April 21, 2022

"I would agree if I was the only one there in the attire," Jarrett tweeted, claiming he was "turned away because of the color of my skin.''

This isn't the first time this restaurant has denied service to a high-profile athlete. In May 2021, Atlanta Hawks legend and Hall of Famer Dominique Wilkins was denied service for not following the dress code.

In my many years in the world, I’ve eaten at some of the greatest restaurants in the world, but never have I felt prejudice or been turned away because of the color of my skin, until today in #atlanta In @LeBilboquetAtl #turnedawaybecauseimblack pic.twitter.com/vh7zuyxH0K
— Dominique Wilkins 🏀 (@DWilkins21) May 22, 2021

Wilkins said that the dress code policy was not the full reason why he was denied service, but that his kicking out was racially motivated.

Grady Jarrett

Restaurant manager Martin Theis was not around when Jarrett attended the restaurant, but maintained that he was denying Jarrett service because he violated the dress code, not because of his race.

“We never like upsetting people with the dress code, but it’s something that we do need to maintain,” Theis told Channel 2 WSB.

Jarrett has been in Atlanta this week, but has not been attending the team's voluntary workouts at the team's facility in nearby Flowery Branch.

Published Apr 22, 2022

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.