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Written by: A. Smith
Published February 19, 2025 @ 3:18 PM ET
FULTON COUNTY, Ga. – Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has indicted Carolyn Freeman, a self-proclaimed NFL superfan known as the “Birdlady,” following an investigation into allegations that she defrauded Kansas City Chiefs fans out of thousands of dollars for tailgate events that never took place.
Freeman, 65, is charged with one count of theft by deception for allegedly collecting $14,155 from members of a Chiefs fan club while falsely promising to host a catered tailgate party, according to the indictment.
Atlanta police arrested Freeman on Nov. 3, 2024, at the Dallas Cowboys-Atlanta Falcons game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Authorities say she collected payments from roughly 300 Chiefs fans for a tailgate event scheduled for Sept. 22 but failed to deliver on the promise or refund the money.
Freeman has denied wrongdoing, claiming she attempted to host the tailgates but was delayed due to hospital visits and a vehicle issue.
This is not the first time Freeman has faced similar accusations. It was previously reported that fan groups for the Seattle Seahawks in 2017 and the Chiefs in 2024 accused her of organizing sham tailgates and Super Bowl trips.
In addition to running tailgates, Freeman also operates a nonprofit, Birdlady Cares Inc., which is registered as a 501(c)(3) organization. She has previously been recognized as a 2016 Bud Light NFL Super Fan and was featured on an Equifax billboard inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium, though the company removed her image following the recent allegations.
Freeman bonded out of jail on Nov. 8, 2024, for $2,500 and was not required to attend a preliminary hearing later that month.
A spokesperson for AMB Sports and Entertainment, which owns the Atlanta Falcons and Mercedes-Benz Stadium, declined to comment.
Freeman’s next court appearance is scheduled for April 29th in Fulton County Superior Court.