Former Falcons WR Returns To His First Sport Of Choice
Former Falcons WR Returns To His First Sport Of Choice originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Former Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Jared Bernhardt has returned to the sport that he loves to play professionally.
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Bernhardt will join the Denver Outlaws of the Premier Soccer League. He originally played lacrosse as a member of the Maryland Terrapins, finishing as the team's all-time record holder in points with 290, goals with 202, single-season points with 99, and single-season goals with 71.
Falcons WR Jared Bernhardt makes a catch during a preseason game against the New York Jets. Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
While there, he would also win the award for the nation's top lacrosse player, known as the Tewaarton, in 2021. After leaving Maryland, Bernhardt joined the Ferris State Bulldogs team to play football at the quarterback position. He was also quite the athlete on the football field.
While with the Bulldogs, he threw for over 1,300 yards and 11 touchdowns and rushed for over 1,200 yards and 23 touchdowns. He would then go undrafted in the 2022 draft, but instead signed with the Atlanta Falcons as an UDFA to play wide receiver.
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Bernhardt made the 53-man roster in 2022 but only appeared in two games for the Falcons, not recording any stats. During a week one preseason against the Detroit Lions, Bernhardt caught a game-winning touchdown pass.
The Falcons were down by three with just over a minute and a half to go in the game when Bernhardt made the snag to give the Falcons the lead. It has been an unusual path for Bernhardt to make it to the NFL and then as a professional lacrosse player, but he wouldn't have it any other way.
'I wouldn't change it. As I said, a lot of great experiences, ups and downs, and a lot of good people you meet along the way, and if I didn't do that, I wouldn't have had that stuff. So I'm fortunate enough to have been able to go through all of that.'
Related: The Drama Is Over In Atlanta At The Quarterback Position... (For Now)
Related: What To Know From The Atlanta Falcons Wrapping Up Their Offseason Program
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 18, 2025, where it first appeared.
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