Atlanta Falcons

My All Time Favorite Atlanta Falcons Players

The Atlanta Falcons were founded in 1966 after the city of Atlanta was awarded an NFL expansion team in 1965. Since that time, they have had a couple of great teams, their best team in 1998 when they won the NFC Championship and went on to lose to the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXXIII. That team had some of the best Atlanta Falcons players the team has ever seen.

Beginning in 1989 with the drafting of one of the best players of all time in Deion Sanders. With “Prime Time” and other great players like Andre Rison and Terence Mathis, the Falcons were fun to watch. In 1998, Jamal Anderson powered the Falcons to the franchise’s first Super Bowl berth. Though the team lost to the Broncos in Super Bowl XXXIII, it was a turning point for the Falcons. Under Michael VIck, the Falcons reached the playoffs twice. Say what you want about Vick, but he’s one of the best Falcons of all time. More recently, Matt Ryan has been at the helm of the most prosperous era in Falcons history. The team had its first consecutive winning seasons in 2008-09 and the future looks bright with Ryan as the quarterback.

OFFENSE

QUARTERBACKS

Steve Bartkowski

Steve Bartkowski - Atlanta Falcons - Quarterback

1976 Topps #35 Rookie Card

Position:  Quarterback – #10
Height:  6’4″          Weight:  216 lbs
Born:  November 12, 1952 in Des Moines Iowa
College:  California
Drafted:  Atlanta Falcons picked in the 1st Round (1st Overall) in 1975 Draft
Career:  1975 – 1986 – Atlanta Falcons (1975-1985), Los Angeles Rams (1986)
Highlights: 2 time Pro Bowler.  Steve Bartkowski started 127 of the 129 games he played in over his 12 year career and passed for 24,124 yards and 156 touchdowns completing 55.9% of his passes.  He also rushed 178 times for 239 yards and 11 rushing touchdowns.

Chris Chandler

Chris Chandler - Indianapolis Colts - Atlanta Falcons - Quarterback

1989 Pro Set #159 Rookie Card

Position:  Quarterback – #12
Height:  6’4″          Weight:  224 lbs
Born:  October 12, 1965 in Everett Washington
College:  Washington
Drafted:  Indianapolis Colts picked in the 3rd Round (76th Overall) in 1988 Draft
Career:  1988 – 2004 – Indianapolis Colts (1988-1989), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1990-1991), Phoenix Cardinals (1991-1993), Los Angeles Rams (1994), Houston Oilers (1995-1996), Atlanta Falcons (1997-2001), Chicago Bears (2002-2003), St. Louis Rams (2004)
Highlights: 2 time Pro Bowler.  Chris Chandler played on 8 different teams and played in 180 games and started 152 during his 17 year career.  He spent 5 years with the Atlanta Falcons where he led the Atlanta Falcons to play in Super Bowl XXXIII in their loss to the Denver Broncos.  Over his career, Chandler completed 2,328 passes for 28,484 yards and 170 touchdowns completing 58.1% of his passes.  He also rushed for 1,310 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Matt Ryan

Matt Ryan - Atlanta Falcons - Quarterback

2008 Upper Deck #168 Rookie Card

Position:  Quarterback – #2
Height:  6’5″          Weight:  224 lbs
Born:  May 17, 1985 in Exton Pennsylvania
College:  Boston College
Drafted:  Atlanta Falcons picked in the 1st Round (3rd Overall) in 2008 Draft
Career:  2008 – Present – Atlanta Falcons
Highlights: 3 time Pro Bowler.  In his 9th year, Matt Ryan has started 132 games and has thrown for 34,832 yards and 217 touchdowns. He has also rushed for 815 yards and 5 touchdowns.  He has led his team to an amazing start in the 2016 season and is currently in 1st place in the NFC South Division.

 

RUNNING BACKS

Gerald Riggs

Gerald Riggs - Atlanta Falcons - Running Back

1983 Topps #25 Rookie Card

Position:  Running Back – #42
Height:  6’1″          Weight:  230 lbs
Born:  November 6, 1960 in Tullos Louisiana
College:  Arizona State University
Drafted:  Atlanta Falcons picked in the 1st Round (9thOverall) in 1982 Draft
Career:  1982 – 1991 – Atlanta Falcons (1982-1988), Washington Redskins (1989-1991)
Highlights: 3 time Pro Bowler.  Gerald Riggs played on the Super Bowl Champion Washington Redskins and scored 2 touchdowns in Super Bowl XXVI against the Buffalo Bills.  He played in 129 games over his 10 year career and ran for 8,189 yards and 69 touchdowns.

Jamal Anderson

Jamal Anderson - Atlanta Falcons - Running Back

1996 SP Authentic #59 Rookie Card

Position:  Running Back – #32
Height:  5’11”          Weight:  237 lbs
Born:  September 30, 1972 in Woodland Hills California
College:  Utah
Drafted:  Atlanta Falcons picked in the 7th Round (201st Overall) in 1994 Draft
Career:  1994 – 2001 – Atlanta Falcons
Highlights:  1 time Pro Bowler and 1 time First Team All Pro.  Jamal Anderson played for the Atlanta Falcons in their loss to the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXXIII.  During his 8 year career, Anderson rushed for 5,336 yards and 34 touchdowns and had 4 years where he exceeded 1,000 yards in a season.  He also caught 156 passes for 1,645 yards and 7 touchdowns.

Michael Turner

Michael Turner - San Diego Chargers - Atlanta Falcons - Running Back

2004 Topps Finest #62 Rookie Card

Position:  Running Back – #33
Height:  5’10”          Weight:  237 lbs
Born:  February 13, 1982 in North Chicago Illinois
College:  Northern Illinois
Drafted:  San Diego Chargers picked in the 5th Round (154th Overall) in 2004 Draft
Career:  2004 – 2012 – San Diego Chargers (2004-2007), Atlanta Falcons (2008-2012)
Highlights: 2 time Pro Bowler and 1 Time First Team All Pro.  Michael Turner has played in 131 games so far in his career and has rushed for 7,227 yards and 64 touchdowns.  He has also caught 65 passes for 503 yards and 1 touchdown.

William Andrews

William Andrews - Atlanta Falcons - Running Back

1980 Topps #73 Rookie Card

Position:  Running Back – #31
Height:  6’0″          Weight:  206 lbs
Born:  December 25, 1955 in Thomasville Georgia
College:  Auburn
Drafted:  Atlanta Falcons picked in the 3rd Round (79th Overall) in 1979 Draft
Career:  1979 – 1986 – Atlanta Falcons
Highlights:  4 time Pro Bowler.  William Andrews played in 87 games during his short 6 year career and ran the ball 1,315 times for 5,986 yards and 30 touchdowns.  He also caught 277 passes for 2,647 yards and 11 touchdowns.  Andrews ran for more than 1,000 yards in each of his first 3 seasons.

 

WIDE RECEIVERS

Terance Mathis

Terance Mathis - New York Jets - Atlanta Falcons - Wide Receiver

1990 Topps Traded #77 Rookie Card

Position:  Wide Receiver – #81
Height:  5’10”          Weight:  177 lbs
Born:  June 7, 1967 in Detroit Michigan
College:  New Mexico
Drafted:  New York Jets picked in the 6th Round (140th Overall) in 1990 Draft
Career:  1990 – 2002 – New York Jets (1990-1993), Atlanta Falcons (1994-2001), Pittsburgh Steelers (2002)
Highlights: 1 time Pro Bowler.  Terance Mathis played for the Atlanta Falcons in their loss to the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXXIII.  He caught 7 passes for 85 yards and a touchdown.  He played in 206 games during his 13 year career and caught 689 passes for 8,809 yards and 63 touchdowns.  He also ran the ball 14 times for 97 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Alfred Jenkins

Alfred Jenkins - Atlanta Falcons - Wide Receiver

1978 Topps #423 Rookie Card

Position:  Wide Receiver – #84
Height:  5’10”          Weight:  170 lbs
Born:  January 25, 1952 in Hogansville Georgia
College:  Morris Brown
Drafted:  Not drafted
Career:  1975 – 1983 – Atlanta Falcons
Highlights: 2 time Pro Bowler and 1 Time First Team All Pro.  Alfred Jenkins started and played in 110 games during his 9 year career and caught 360 passes for 6,267 yards and 40 touchdowns.

Andre Rison

Andre Rison - Indianapolis Colts - Atlanta Falcons - Wide Receiver

1989 Score #272 Rookie Card

Position:  Wide Receiver – #88
Height:  6’1″          Weight:  188 lbs
Born:  March 18, 1967 in Flint Michigan
College:  Michigan State
Drafted:  Indianapolis Colts picked in the 1st Round (22nd Overall) in 1989 Draft
Career:  1989 – 2000 – Indianapolis Colts (1989), Atlanta Falcons (1990-1994), Cleveland Browns (1995), Green Bay Packers (1996), Jacksonville Jaguars (1996), Kansas City Chiefs (1997-1999), Oakland Raiders (2000)
Highlights:  5 time Pro Bowler and 1 Time First Team All Pro.  Andre Rison played on the Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers in their win over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXI.  He caught 2 passes for 77 yards and 1 was a 54 yard touchdown reception in the game.  Rison played in 186 games in his 13 year career and caught 743 passes for 10,205 yards and 84 touchdowns.  He exceed 1,000 yards receiving in 5 different seasons.

Roddy White

Roddy White - Atlanta Falcons - Wide Receiver

2005 Score #354 Rookie Card

Position:  Wide Receiver – #84
Height:  6’1″          Weight:  201 lbs
Born:  November 2, 1981 in James Island South Carolina
College:  Atlanta Birmingham
Drafted:  Atlanta Falcons picked in the 1st Round (27th Overall) in 2005 Draft
Career:  2005 – 2012 – Atlanta Falcons
Highlights:  3 time Pro Bowler and 1 Time First Team All Pro.  Roddy White became a featured player in 2007 and has exceed 1,000 receiving yards in every season since.  In his 8th season he continues to dominate and in his career has caught 607 passes for 8,514 yards and 50 touchdowns.

TIGHT ENDS

Jim Mitchell

Jim Mitchell - Atlanta Falcons - Tight End

1971 Topps #84 Rookie Card

Position:  Tight End – #86
Height:  6’1″          Weight:  234 lbs
Born:  October 19, 1947 in Shelbyville Tennessee
Died:  October 20, 2007 in Shelbyville Tennessee
College:  Atlanta Birmingham
Drafted:  Atlanta Falcons picked in the 4th Round (81st Overall) in 1969 Draft
Career:  1969 – 1979 – Atlanta Falcons
Highlights:  2 time Pro Bowler.  Jim Mitchell played in 155 games in his 11 year career with the Atlanta Falcons and caught 305 passes for 4,358 yards and 28 touchdowns.  He also ran the ball 26 times for 187 yards and a touchdown.

Alge Crumpler

Alge Crumpler - Atlanta Falcons - Tight End

2001 Fleer Traditions Glossy #450 Rookie Card

Position:  Tight End – #83
Height:  6’2″          Weight:  262 lbs
Born:  December 23, 1977 in Wilmington North Carolina
College:  North Carolina
Drafted:  Atlanta Falcons picked in the 2nd Round (35th Overall) in 2001 Draft
Career:  2001 – 2010 – Atlanta Falcons (2001-2007), Tennessee Titans (2008-2009), New England Patriots (2010)
Highlights:  4 time Pro Bowler.  Alge Crumpler played in 155 games during his 10 year career and caught 373 passes for 4,743 yards and 39 touchdowns.

Tony Gonzalez

Tony Gonzalez - Kansas City Chiefs - Atlanta Falcons - Tight End

1997 Topps Chrome Refractor #R24 Rookie Card

Position:  Tight End – #88
Height:  6’5″          Weight:  251 lbs
Born:  February 27, 1976 in Torrance California
College:  California
Drafted:  Kansas City Chiefs picked in the 1st Round (13th Overall) in 1997 Draft
Career:  1997 – 2013 – Kansas City Chiefs (1997-2008), Atlanta Falcons (2009-2013)
Highlights:  14 time Pro Bowler and 5 Time First Team All Pro.  Tony Gonzalez is hands down the best Tight End to ever play the game.  He started 254 games during his 17 year career and caught 1,325 passes for 15,127 yards and 111 touchdowns.  Gonzalez is the best Tight End to ever play and is currently ranked #5 on the Top 40 All Time NFL Career Receiving Yards Leaders and #6 on the Top 40 All Time Career Receiving Touchdown Leaders lists.

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN

Mike Kenn

Mike Kenn - Atlanta Falcons - Tackle

1981 Topps #215 Rookie Card

Position:  Tackle – #78
Height:  6’7″          Weight:  273 lbs
Born:  February 9, 1956 in Evanston Illinois
College:  Michigan
Drafted:  Atlanta Falcons picked in the 1st Round (13th Overall) in 1978 Draft
Career:  1978 – 1994 – Atlanta Falcons
Highlights:  5 time Pro Bowler and 2 Time First Team All Pro.  Mike Kenn played for the Atlanta Falcons during his amazing 17 year career with the same team.  He started and played in 251 games during that time.

Bill Fralic

Bill Fralic - Atlanta Falcons - Guard - 80s All Decade Team

1986 Topps #367 Rookie Card

Position:  Guard-Tackle – #79
Height:  6’5″          Weight:  280 lbs
Born:  October 31, 1962 in Penn Hills Pennsylvania
College:  Pittsburgh
Drafted:  Atlanta Falcons picked in the 1st Round (2nd Overall) in 1985 Draft
Career:  1985 – 1993 – Atlanta Falcons (1985-1992), Detroit Lions (1993)
Highlights:  4 time Pro Bowler and 2 Time First Team All Pro.  Bill Fralic started 131 of 132 games he played in over his 9 year career.

Jeff Van Note

Jeff Van Note - Atlanta Falcons - Center

1975 Topps #398 Rookie Card

Position:  Center – #57
Height:  6’2″          Weight:  247 lbs
Born:  February 7, 1946 in South Orange New Jersey
College:  Kentucky
Drafted:  Atlanta Falcons picked in the 11th Round (262nd Overall) in 1969 Draft
Career:  1969 – 1986 – Atlanta Falcons 18
Highlights:  5 time Pro Bowler.  Jeff Van Note played in 246 games during his 18 year career.

R.C. Thielemann

R.C. Thielemann - Atlanta Falcons - Guard

1982 Topps #290 Rookie Card

Position:  Guard-Center – #69
Height:  6’4″          Weight:  255 lbs
Born:  August 12, 1955 in Houston Texas
College:  Arkansas
Drafted:  Atlanta Falcons picked in the 2nd Round (36th Overall) in 1977 Draft
Career:  1977 – 1988 – Atlanta Falcons (1977-1984), Washington Redskins (1985-1988)
Highlights:  3 time Pro Bowler and 1 Time First Team All Pro.  R.C. Thielemann played in 157 games during his 12 year career.

George Kunz

George Kunz - Atlanta Falcons - Tackle - 8 Time Pro Bowler

1971 Topps #109 Rookie Card

Position:  Tackle – #75
Height:  6’5″          Weight:  257 lbs
Born:  July 5, 1947 in Sheridan Illinois
College:  Notre Dame
Drafted:  Atlanta Falcons picked in the 1st Round (2nd Overall) in 1969 Draft
Career:  1969 – 1980 – Atlanta Falcons (1969-1974), Baltimore Colts (1975-1980)
Highlights:  8 time Pro Bowler and 1 Time First Team All Pro.  George Kunz played in 129 games during his 11 year career.

 

DEFENSE

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN

Claude Humphrey

Claude Humphrey - Atlanta Falcons - Defensive End

1979 Topps #156 Rookie Card

Position:  Defensive End – #87
Height:  6’4″          Weight:  252 lbs
Born:  June 29, 1944 in Memphis Tennessee
College:  Tennessee State
Drafted:  Atlanta Falcons picked in the 1st Round (3rd Overall) in 1968 Draft
Career:  1968 – 1981 – Atlanta Falcons (1968-1978), Philadelphia Eagles (1979-1981)
Highlights:  6 time Pro Bowler, 2 Time First Team All Pro and 3 time Hall of Fame finalist (2003, 2005 and 2006).  Claude Humphrey played in 171 games during his 13 year career.  He had 2 interceptions and 11 fumble recoveries, one for a touchdown.

Don Smith

Don Smith - Atlanta Falcons - Defensive Tackle

1980 Topps #152 Rookie Card

Position:  Defensive End – Defensive Tackle – Nose Tackle – #65
Height:  6’5″          Weight:  256 lbs
Born:  May 9, 1957 in Oakland California
College:  Miami University
Drafted:  Atlanta Falcons picked in the 1st Round (17th Overall) in 1979 Draft
Career:  1979 – 1987 – Atlanta Falcons (1979-1984), Buffalo Bills (1985-1986), New York Jets (1987)
Highlights:  Don Smith played in 111 games during his 9 year career and recorded 18.5 sacks and 11 fumble recoveries.

Chuck Smith

Chuck Smith - Atlanta Falcons - Defensive Lineman

1992 Topps #667 Rookie Card

Position:  Defensive End – #90
Height:  6’2″          Weight:  257 lbs
Born:  December 21, 1969 in Athens Georgia
College:  Tennessee
Drafted:  Atlanta Falcons picked in the 2nd Round (51st Overall) in 1992 Draft
Career:  1992 – 2000 – Atlanta Falcons (1992-1999), Carolina Panthers (2000)
Highlights:  Chuck Smith played in 125 games during his 9 year career and recorded 58.5 sacks, 3 interceptions with one returned 36 yards for a touchdown, 12 fumble recoveries with 1 returned 71 yards for a touchdown and 270 tackles with 52 assists.

 

LINEBACKERS

Tommy Nobis

Tommy Nobis - Atlanta Falcons - Linebacker

1967 Philadelphia #7 Rookie Card

Position:  Linebacker – #60
Height:  6’2″          Weight:  240 lbs
Born:  September 20, 1943 in San Antonio Texas
College:  Texas
Drafted:  Atlanta Falcons picked in the 1st Round (1st Overall) in 1966 NFL Draft.  Houston Oilers picked in the 1st Round (5th Overall) in the 1966 AFL Draft.
Career:  1966 – 1976 – Atlanta Falcons
Highlights:  5 time Pro Bowler and 1 Time First Team All Pro.  Tommy Nobis played in 122 games during his 11 year career and recorded 12 interceptions returning 2 for touchdowns along with 13 fumble recoveries.

Jesse Tuggle

Jessie Tuggle - Atlanta Falcons - Linebacker

1990 Topps Tiffany #479 Rookie Card

Position:  Linebacker – #60
Height:  5’11”          Weight:  230 lbs
Born:  April 4, 1965 in Spalding County Georgia
College:  Valdosta State
Drafted:  Not Drafted
Career:  1987 – 2000 – Atlanta Falcons
Highlights:  5 time Pro Bowler.  Jessie Tuggle played for the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl XXXIII in their loss to the Denver Broncos.  He played in 209 games during his 14 year career and is responsible for 21 sacks, 6 interceptions with 1 returned 84 yards for a touchdown, 10 fumble recoveries with 5 returned for touchdowns and 1,640 tackles and 164 assists.

Cornelius Bennett

Cornelius Bennett - Atlanta Falcons - Linebacker

1988 Topps #230 Rookie Card

Position:  Linebacker – #97
Height:  6’2″          Weight:  237 lbs
Born:  August 25, 1965 in Birmingham Alabama
College:  Alabama
Drafted:  Indianapolis Colts picked in the 1st Round (2nd Overall) in 1987 Draft
Career:  1987 – 2000 – Buffalo Bills (1987-1995), Atlanta Falcons (1996-1998), Indianapolis Colts (1999-2000)
Highlights:  5 time Pro Bowler and 1 Time First Team All Pro.  Cornelius Bennett started 204 of his 206 games played during his illustrious 14 year career.  Bennett played in 4 Super Bowls (3 for the Buffalo Bills (Super Bowl XXVI, Super Bowl XXVII and Super Bowl XXVIII and for the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl XXXIII).  He recorded 71.5 sacks, 7 interceptions returning 1 69 yards for a touchdown, recovered 27 fumbles with one returned 9 yards for a touchdown, 1,048 tackles and 142 assists.

Keith Brooking

Keith Brooking - Atlanta Falcons - Linebacker

1998 Upper Deck Bronze #10 Rookie Card

Position:  Linebacker – #56
Height:  6’2″          Weight:  245 lbs
Born:  October 30, 1975 in Senoia Georgia
College:  Georgia Tech
Drafted:  Atlanta Falcons picked in the 1st Round (12th Overall) in 1998 Draft
Career:  1998 – 2012 – Atlanta Falcons (1998-2008), Dallas Cowboys (2009-2011), Denver Broncos (2012)
Highlights:  5 time Pro Bowler.  Keith Brooking has played in 222 games during his 14 year career.  Brooking played for the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl XXXIII in their loss to the Denver Broncos.  He has recorded 21 sacks, 13 interceptions, recovered 10 fumbles, 1,093 tackles and 334 assists.

 

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Deion Sanders

Deion Sanders - Atlanta Falcons - Dallas Cowboys - Cornerback

1991 Wild Card #70 Rookie Card

Position:  Defensive Back – Wide Receiver – Kick/Punt Returner – #21
Height:  6’1″          Weight:  195 lbs
Born:  August 9, 1967 in Fort Myers Florida
College:  Florida State
Drafted:  Atlanta Falcons picked in the 1st Round (5th Overall) in 1989 Draft
Career:  1989 – 2005 – Atlanta Falcons (1989-1993), San Francisco 49ers (1994), Dallas Cowboys (1995-1999), Washington Redskins (2000), Baltimore Ravens (2004-2005)
Highlights:  8 time Pro Bowler, 6 Time First Team All Pro and inducted into the NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011.  Deion Sanders was one of the most electric players on the field playing both offense and defense and one of the best all time Defensive Backs in league history.  Sanders played for 6 different NFL franchises and on 2 different winning Super Bowl teams.  He played in Super Bowl XXIX for the San Francisco 49ers in their win over the San Diego Chargers and again the next year in Super Bowl XXX for the Dallas Cowboys in their win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.  He played in 188 games during his 13 year career and recorded 1 sack, 53 interceptions with 9 returned for touchdowns.  Sanders also played on the offensive side of the ball and caught 60 passes for 784 yards and 3 touchdowns.  He was also known for his Special Teams abilities as a feared kick and punt returner.  Sanders returned 212 punts for 2,199 yards and 6 return touchdowns with the longest being 83 yards.  He also returned 155 kickoffs for 3,523 yards and 3 kickoffs returned for touchdowns with 1 from 100 yards and 1 from 99 yards.  He also played Major League Baseball in the offseason from football and was a good baseball player as well.

Ray Buchanan

Ray Buchanan - Indianapolis Colts - Atlanta Falcons - Cornerback

1993 Bowman #344 Rookie Card

Position:  Defensive Back – #34
Height:  5’9″          Weight:  186 lbs
Born:  September 29, 1971 in Chicago Illinois
College:  Louisville
Drafted:  Indianapolis Colts picked in the 3rd Round (65th Overall) in 1993 Draft
Career:  1993 – 2004 – Indianapolis Colts (1993-1996), Atlanta Falcons (1997-2003), Oakland Raiders (2004)
Highlights:  1 time Pro Bowler.  Ray Buchanan played for the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl XXXIII in their loss to the Denver Broncos.  in 184 games during his 12 year career and recorded 3.5 sacks, 47 interceptions with 4 returned for touchdowns, 6 fumble recoveries, 697 tackles and 113 assists.

Rolland Lawrence

Rolland Lawrence - Atlanta Falcons

1976 Topps #350 Rookie Card

Position:  Defensive Back – #22
Height:  5’10”          Weight:  179 lbs
Born:  March 24, 1951 in Franklin Pennsylvania
College:  Tabor
Drafted:  Not Drafted
Career:  1973 – 1980 – Atlanta Falcons
Highlights:  1 time Pro Bowler and 1 time First Team All Pro.  Rolland Lawrence played in 118 games during his 8 year career and recorded 39 interceptions with 1 returned for a touchdown with the longest being 87 yards.  He also had 13 fumble recoveries.  Lawrence was a Special Teams player as well and had 109 punt returns for 734 yards and 685 kick returns for 685 yards.

DeAngelo Hall

DeAngelo Hall - Atlanta Falcons - Cornerback

2004 Fleer Platinum #483 Rookie Card

Position:  Defensive Back – #21
Height:  5’10”          Weight:  197 lbs
Born:  November 19, 1983 in Chesapeake Virginia
College:  Virginia Tech
Drafted:  Atlanta Falcons Colts picked in the 1st Round (8th Overall) in 2004 Draft
Career:  2004 – 2012 – Atlanta Falcons (2004-2007), Oakland Raiders (2008), Washington Redskins (2008-2012)
Highlights:  3 time Pro Bowler.  DeAngelo Hall played in 130 games during his 10 year career and recorded 2 sacks, 39 interceptions with 3 returned for touchdowns with 1 being 92 yards, 11 fumble recoveries with 3 for touchdowns, 490 tackles and 127 assists.

Ken Reaves

Ken Reaves - Atlanta Falcons - Oakland Raiders - Washington Redskins - Defensive Back

1970 Topps #99 Rookie Card

Position:  Safety – Defensive Back – #36
Height:  6’3″          Weight:  210 lbs
Born:  October 29, 1944 in Braddock Pennsylvania
College:  Norfolk State
Drafted:  Atlanta Falcons picked in the 4th Round (49th Overall) in 1966 Draft
Career:  1966 – 1977 – Atlanta Falcons (1966-1973), New Orleans Saints (1974), St. Louis Cardinals (1974-1977)
Highlights:  1 time Pro Bowler.  Ken Reaves played in 164 games during his 12 year career and recorded 37 interceptions with 1 returned for a touchdown and 9 fumble recoveries.

Eugene Robinson

Eugene Robinson - Seattle Seahawks - Atlanta Falcons - Safety

1989 Topps #191 Rookie Card

Position:  Defensive Back – #41
Height:  6’1″          Weight:  200 lbs
Born:  May 28, 1963 in Hartford Connecticut
College:  Colgate
Drafted:  Not Drafted
Career:  1985 – 2000 – Seattle Seahawks (1985-1995), Green Bay Packers (1996-1997), Atlanta Falcons (1998-1999), Carolina Panthers (2000)
Highlights:  3 time Pro Bowler.  Eugene Robinson played for the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl XXXIII in their loss to Denver.  Robinson played in 250 games during his 16 year career and recorded 7.5 sacks, 57 interceptions with 1 returned 25 yards for a touchdown, 22 fumble recoveries with 1 for a touchdown, 1,250 tackles and 163 assists.14 year career.

 

SPECIAL TEAMS

K – Morten Anderson

Morten Anderson - New Orleans Saints - Atlanta Falcons - Kicker

1984 Topps #300 Rookie Card

Position:  Kicker – #5
Height:  6’2″          Weight:  217 lbs
Born:  August 19, 1960 in Copenhagen, Denmark
College:  Michigan State
Drafted:  New Orleans Saints picked in the 4th Round (86th Overall) in 1982 Draft
Career:  1982 – 2007 – New Orleans Saints (1982-1994), Atlanta Falcons (1995-2000), New York Giants (2001), Kansas City Chiefs (2002-2003), Minnesota Vikings (2004), Atlanta Falcons (2006-2007)
Highlights:  7 time Pro Bowler, 3 time First Team All Pro and 2013 NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame semi-finalist.  Morten Andersen played in 382 games during his outrageously long 25 year career and made 565 of his attempted 709 field goals and had a 79.9% lifetime average along with his 849 PATs.  Over his career, Andersen scored 2,544 points.

P – Dan Stryzinski

San Stryzinski - Pittsburgh Steelers - Atlanta Falcons - Punter

1984 Topps Traded #217 Rookie Card

Position:  Punter – #4
Height:  6’0″          Weight:  237 lbs
Born:  May 15, 1965 in Indianapolis Indiana
College:  Indiana University
Drafted:  Not Drafted
Career:  1990 – 2003 – Pittsburgh Steelers (1990-1991), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1992-1994), Atlanta Falcons (1995-2000), Kansas City Chiefs (2001-2002), New York Jets (2003)
Highlights:  Dan Stryzinski played in 224 games during his 14 year career and had a career average of 39.3 yards per punt.

PR – Deion Sanders

Deion Sanders - Atlanta Falcons - Dallas Cowboys - Punt Returner

1989 Topps Traded #30T Rookie Card

Position:  Kick Returner – #21
Height:  6’1″          Weight:  195 lbs
Born:  August 9, 1967 in Fort Myers Florida
College:  Florida State
Drafted:  Atlanta Falcons picked in the 1st Round (5th Overall) in 1989 Draft
Career:  1989 – 2005 – Atlanta Falcons (1989-1993), San Francisco 49ers (1994), Dallas Cowboys (1995-1999), Washington Redskins (2000), Baltimore Ravens (2004-2005)
Highlights:  8 time Pro Bowler, 6 Time First Team All Pro and inducted into the NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011.  Deion Sanders played in 188 games during his 13 year career and was also known for his Special Teams abilities as a feared kick and punt returner.  Sanders returned 212 punts for 2,199 yards and 6 return touchdowns with the longest being 83 yards.  He also returned 155 kickoffs for 3,523 yards and 3 kickoffs returned for touchdowns with 1 from 100 yards and 1 from 99 yards.

KR – Allen Rossum

Allen Rossum - Philadelphia Eagles - Atlanta Falcons - Kick Returner

1998 Bowman Chrome #195 Rookie Card

Position:  Punt Returner – Defensive Back – #20
Height:  5’8″          Weight:  178 lbs
Born:  October 22, 1975 in Dallas Texas
College:  Notre Dame
Drafted:  Philadelphia Eagles picked in the 3rd Round (85th Overall) in 1998 Draft
Career:  1998 – 2009 – Philadelphia Eagles (1998-1999), Green Bay Packers (2000-2001), Atlanta Falcons (2002-2006), Pittsburgh Steelers (2007), San Francisco 49ers (2008-2009), Dallas Cowboys (2009)
Highlights:  1 time Pro Bowler.  Allen Rossum played in 157 games during his 13 year career and was a kick and punt returner.  Rossum returned 307 punts for 3,056 yards and 3 return touchdowns with the longest being 75 yards.  He also returned 514 kickoffs for 11,947 yards and 5 kickoffs returned for touchdowns with 1 from 104 yards and 1 from 98 yards.

NICKNAME

  • A fan contest was held and the team received 558 different names. Although several entries in a fan contest suggested Falcons, a schoolteacher was declared the winner because of her reason “The falcon is proud and dignified with great courage and fight.”

HEAD COACHES

  • Norb Hecker (1966-1968)
  • Norm Van Brocklin (1968-1974)
  • Marion Campbell (1974-1976)
  • Pat Peppler (1976)
  • Leeman Bennett (1977-1982)
  • Dan Henning (1983-1986)
  • Marion Campbell (1987-1989)
  • Jim Hanifan (1989)
  • Jerry Glanville (1990-1993)
  • June Jones (1994-1996)
  • Dan Reeves* (1997-2003)
  • Wade Phillips (2003)
  • Jim Mora (2004-2006)
  • Bobby Petrino (2007)
  • Emmitt Thomas (2007)
  • Mike Smith (2008-2014)
  • Dan Quinn (2015-Present)

* Rich Brooks illness sub in 1998

SUPER BOWL CHAMPIONS

  • None

SUPER BOWL APPEARANCES

  • Super Bowl XXXIII (1998) – Atlanta Falcons vs. Denver Broncos
  • Super Bowl LI (2017) – Atlanta Falcons vs. New England Patriots

NFL/NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES

  • 1998, 2004

DIVISION CHAMPIONS

  • 1980, 1998, 2004, 2010

PLAYOFF APPEARANCES

  • 1978, 1980, 1982, 1991, 1995, 1998, 2002, 2004, 2008, 2010, 2011

PLAYOFF RECORD

  • 6-11 .353

HALL OF FAME PLAYERS

  • Eric Dickerson RB (1993)
  • Chris Doleman DE (1994-1995)
  • Deion Sanders CB (1989-1993)
  • Tommy McDonald WR (1967)

RING OF HONOR

  • 10 Steve Bartkowski QB (1975-1985)
  • 21 Deion Sanders CB (1989-1993)
  • 31 William Andrews RB (1979-83, 1986)
  • 57 Jeff Van Note C (1969-1986)
  • 58 Jessie Tuggle LB (1987-2000)
  • 60 Tommy Nobis LB (1966-1976)
  • 78 Mike Kenn T (1978-1994)
  • 87 Claude Humphrey DE (1968-1974, 1976-1978)

PRO BOWL MVP

  • 1994 Andre Rison

AWARDS

COACH OF THE YEAR

  • 1998 Dan Reeves
  • 2008 Mike Smith

DEFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

  • 1968 Claude Humphrey DE
  • 1980 Buddy Curry LB
  • 1980 Al Richardson LB

OFFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

  • 2008 Matt Ryan QB

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

  • None

 OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

  • None

NFL MVP

  • None

SUPER BOWL MVP

  • None

 

 

 

©MMXIX My All Time Favorites, all pictures and logos, team names are property of the National Football League. This site is not affiliated with the NFL or Atlanta Falcons.  All Football Cards are low resolution scans from a personal collection and each is credited with the production company name and year.  This site is maintained for research purposes only.

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