ATLANTA — An Atlanta Falcons fan was beaten outside a tailgate last month, and now police are asking for help identifying the suspects.

Arkeius Smith was hospitalized with serious injuries after what began as football trash talk that turned violent. The attack happened on Northside Drive on Sept. 28, just before a Falcons home game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Smith says a group assaulted him in a parking lot, leaving him with four broken ribs and facial fractures.

"I was knocked unconscious, but I'm still glad to be here, Smith said. "He explained that the confrontation started with a Patriots fan and escalated after some words about the 2017 Super Bowl between the Falcons and Patriots.

"I heard one individual say, 'I thought I told you to leave,'" Smith recalled. "But I'm from Atlanta.

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