Atlanta Falcons Team History

The date June 30, 1965, always will be remembered as both a termination and a commencement in the history of Atlanta sports. For on that day the end came to the many and disparate struggles to place a professional football team in the Southeast's key metropolis. At the same time the Atlanta Falcons were born and began a storied tenure in the National Football League. The team’s first head coach was Norb Hecker, a former assistant to the legendary Vince Lombardi of the Green Bay Packers. Linebacker Tommy Nobis was the team’s first draft pick; in 1966 he captured the NFL rookie of the year award.

Atlanta Falcons Franchise Information

Franchise Granted: 1966
First Season: 1966
1966 - Present Atlanta Falcons

A fan contest was held and the team received more than 1,300 entries suggesting 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.”

Atlanta Falcons - Stadium

Georgia Dome One Georgia Dome Dr., N.W. Atlanta, GA 30313-1591 (404)223-9200 Opened: August, 1992 Capacity: 71,500-football;20,000+ as arena Surface: Artificial Turf Tenants:    Atlanta Falcons    Atlanta Hawks    Peach Bowl    SEC Football & Basketball    USA/Mobil Indoor Track and Field

Atlanta Falcons Chronological History

1966 - Atlanta is granted franchise rights. The first coach is Norb Hecker who worked previously as an assistant to Vince Lombardi of the Green Bay Packers.

1969 - Falcons win first season opener ever, beating 49ers, 24-12, before home fans. Rookie Tight End Jim Mitchell scored two TD's and club set team record with 229 yards rushing.

1977 - With 35-7 final win over Saints, Falcons establish new NFL modern day record for 14-game season by allowing just 129 points all year as club finishes 7-7.

1978 - The Falcons post a 9-7 record and qualify for post season play for the first time.

1980 - The Falcons win the Western Division but lose to the Cowboys in the second round of the playoffs.

1982 - The Falcons return to the playoff's yet again.

1990 - The Falcons announce plans for their 25th Anniversary season that include going back to their original black jerseys of 1966. In addition black helmets are unveiled along with the 25th anniversary logo patches for the uniforms.

1994 - Former Quarterback June Jones returns to the team as head coach (He played in the 1978 season).

1998 - The Falcons post a 14-2 record and win the NFC Western.

1999 - The Falcons compete in the Super Bowl but lose to the Denver Broncos.

2002 - In a special meeting in New Orleans on February 2, 2002, NFL owners vote unanimously to approve the sale of the Falcons to Arthur Blank.

2003 - In front of a crowd of several hundred fans at the Mall of Georgia in Buford, Ga., the Falcons unveiled their new uniforms, a change for the first time since 1990. Falcons fans voiced their approval as LB Keith Brooking, TE Alge Crumpler, RB Warrick Dunn, DE Patrick Kerney, WR Peerless Price and QB Michael Vick modeled the new threads.