Big Boi figured it was his duty to go to ESPN’s studios and defend the Falcons.

So the Atlanta hip-hop legend, whose real name is Antwan Patton, showed up on ESPN’s “First Take” program this week and declared: “The Super Bowl has got to come through Atlanta.”

“I’m here as an ambassador,” Big Boi said. “We are ready.”

When host Skip Bayless cited the Falcons’ recent playoff failures and asked Big Boi why he thought it would be different this time, he cited the “spirit of the city.”

“It’s about the city and the energy the city has got right now,” he said. “Atlanta is turned up.”

Big Boi, however, said Falcons’ players should shun certain entertainment options before the game.

“As long as everybody stays out of Magic City and Diamonds of Atlanta, we are going to be good,” he said, referring to two of the city’s famous strip clubs. “Wait until Monday to go. Everybody stay home.”

Big Boi suggested that Magic City should have “Seahawks night” on Saturday to entice the players from the visiting team to drop in.