Atlanta Falcon Football - The History of the Atlanta Falcons by
Terry Passone
The birth of Atlanta Falcon football happened in 1965 when a man
named Rankin Smith brought the football team into existence. The
Falcons started play in the NFL in the 1966-1967 season in the NFC
division. The NFL really wanted to have a team in the southeast where
they didn't have too much of a market presence. They played in
Atlanta-Fulton county stadium from 1966-1991 when they switched to the
newly built Georgia Dome.
Naming the New Atlanta Football Team "The Falcons"
The Atlanta Falcons got their name in
quite an unusual way, they had a contest. The contest received many
votes but it was a school teacher named Julia Elliot from nearby
Griffin Georgia that suggested the name "Falcons" because the bird is
known for its pride and its great courage to fight.
The first player drafted by the Atlanta Falcons was a linebacker from
Texas named Tommy Nobis, at the time he was considered the greatest
college football player. He is now known as "Mr. Falcon" by the teams
die hard fans. Known for his dominate play he lead the Falcons through
some dismal years. The Atlanta Falcons didn't really start off that
well but Tommy Nobis was the bright spot on the field. He was the
highlight during the early years.
Atlanta Falcons Highlights
The Falcons have had some good years even though they have been
far and few between. The 1980 season is the time I became a Falcon
fan. Yes I did just admit to that and I say it with Pride. The team
was a huge underdog that year and they broke the hearts of many a fan
when they lost the NFC divisional game to the
Dallas Cowboys.
The
Falcons had the game and lead the whole way until Dallas
scored 20 points in the final quarter.
The Falcons team had some great players such as Steve Bartowski, Alfred
Jenkins and William Andrews. For me it was the way the team played as
a team that made me a loyal fan. Being a fan for many years the
Falcons have also had some great players during the years leading up
to and including the 1998 year that the falcons went to the Super Bowl
they include Deion Sanders, Gerald Riggs, Jamal Anderson, Andre Rison,
and my favorite Billy "White Shoes" Johnson.
The 1998 season was magic, the Falcons defense was relentless they
attacked the ball with every player on every play. Their nickname "the
dirty birds" was born that year and seeing coach Dan Reeves do it on
the sideline still scares me to this day. Jamal Anderson was a one man
wrecking crew that year as he carried the ball almost every play or so
it seemed. Quarterback Chris Chandler led the offense with his accurate
passing to his receivers especially to Terrance Mathis and Tony
Martin.
Super Bowl
The Loss to the
Denver Broncos that January was a tough one
for me as well as all Atlanta Falcons fans. I was in Miami for the
Super Bowl and had a blast even though my team lost. I attended many
Falcon parties all week leading up to the big game and let me tell you
the "Dirty Bird party" will be one of the highlights for me for years
to come. If your team ever has the chance to go to the Super
Bowl do yourself a favor and try to go.
The Michael Vick Era
The Falcons Selected Michael Vick with the First pick in the 2001 NFL
draft and a new era was born. Even though a Falcon favorite Tim Dwight
was used to trade for this pick the Atlanta Falcons knew they were
getting something special and so did their fans. Michael Vick is the
fastest player I have ever seen, when you watch him on television you
can't capture how fast he really is.
He should be fun to watch in the
coming years and I hope to update this story when Michael Vick takes
the Falcons to the Super Bowl. This year I have the pleasure of being
an Atlanta Falcon season ticket holder and I look forward to seeing
The Falcons live in person instead of watching them on satellite
television. I will be the one in section 123 cheering the loudest! If
you would like to join me I have made a page all about
how to get Atlanta Falcons
tickets cheap.
Georgia Dome
The new home of the Atlanta Falcons is the Georgia Dome. Over the
years the Georgia dome has hosted many events besides Atlanta Falcons
Football games. The 1996 Centennial Olympics games being one of the
biggest events held at the dome it also served as the home for the
Atlanta Hawks. There have been many College bowl games held at the
Georgia Dome as well and the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bow. The
Georgia Dome has the honor of hosting the NCAA Final four in 2007.
With a seating capacity of 71,149 that should be fun to watch if you
can get tickets.
A noteworthy fan is country singer Travis Tritt who has released
the song "Falcons Fever"
If you are planning on going to an Atlanta Falcons game but don't
wish to drive home I suggest you get a room at
Super 8 Its only 4 blocks from the dome and great prices!
For more information about Atlanta Falcons
merchandise click on our "Top Pick on our
Football Page. For more sports choose from
one of the following pages:
About The Author
Terry is from Georgia and she knows her Nascar. She has been a fan
for years as well as a fan of the late
Dale
Earnhardt. She now
writes articles for us at Sports-gift.com
as
well as other major sports website. |
