50 Fun Facts About Atlanta Falcons

In what year did the Falcons play their first NFL season?

The NFL added them a year ahead of schedule to keep the rival AFL out of Atlanta; New Orleans followed in 1967.

How much did Rankin Smith pay for the franchise in 1965, then a record for the NFL?

He and Pete Rozelle made the deal in about five minutes.

Who suggested the nickname "Falcons" for the new team in 1965?

Julia Elliott wrote that the falcon "is proud and dignified, with great courage and fight" and "never drops its prey".

Which Texas linebacker was the first player ever drafted by the Falcons, first overall in 1966?

Astronaut Frank Borman radioed "tell Nobis to sign with Houston" from Gemini 7; he signed with Atlanta anyway and became "Mr. Falcon".

How many games did the Falcons lose to start their inaugural 1966 season before their first win?

The first win came at Yankee Stadium against the Giants on November 20, under coach Norb Hecker.

Which quarterback did the Falcons take first overall in the 1975 draft?

The California All-American made two Pro Bowls and played in Atlanta until 1985.

In which season did the Falcons first reach the playoffs?

They beat the Eagles 14-13 in the Wild Card game before losing to Dallas; the 1980 team then won the franchise's first division title.

Which two-sport star did the Falcons draft fifth overall in 1989?

"Prime Time" played for the Yankees and then the Braves while in Atlanta, and remains the only man to play in a Super Bowl and a World Series.

Which future Hall of Fame QB did the Falcons draft in 1991 and trade to Green Bay a year later?

As a Falcon rookie he threw four passes: no completions and two interceptions.

In what year did the Falcons move into the Georgia Dome?

They beat all 31 other NFL teams there at least once before leaving after the 2016 season.

What was the nickname of the 1998 Falcons team that reached the franchise's first Super Bowl?

It came from Jamal Anderson's arm-flapping touchdown dance; the team went a then-best 14-2.

How many carries did Jamal Anderson record in 1998, then an NFL single-season record?

He ran for 1,846 yards and 14 touchdowns, second only to Terrell Davis that year.

Whom did the Falcons upset in overtime in the 1998 NFC Championship Game?

The 15-1 Vikings were top seeds; Atlanta won 30-27 at the Metrodome.

Who beat the Falcons 34-19 in Super Bowl XXXIII?

It was John Elway's final game; at 38 he became the oldest Super Bowl MVP until Tom Brady beat the record, also against the Falcons.

Which quarterback did the Falcons take first overall in 2001 after trading up with San Diego?

The Chargers used the fifth pick they received on LaDainian Tomlinson.

What did the Falcons' left-handed quarterback become the first NFL passer to do in 2006?

He finished with 1,039 yards; the Falcons still went 7-9 and fired Jim Mora.

Which billionaire, a co-founder of Home Depot, bought the Falcons in 2002?

He agreed a reported $545 million with Taylor Smith; the sale was approved unanimously at Super Bowl XXXVI.

Which head coach quit the Falcons 13 games into the 2007 season, leaving a locker-room note?

He left for the University of Arkansas; the team finished 4-12 with Joey Harrington at quarterback.

With which pick did the Falcons draft Matt Ryan in 2008?

He started all 16 games as a rookie and won Offensive Rookie of the Year; his coach Mike Smith won Coach of the Year.

What is Matt Ryan's nickname?

He was NFL MVP in 2016 and entered the Falcons Ring of Honor in 2024.

At which school did Matt Ryan win the Manning and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm awards in 2007?

He won the Manning and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm awards there in 2007.

To draft Julio Jones sixth overall in 2011, the Falcons traded up with which team?

It cost first-, second- and fourth-round picks in 2011 plus a first and fourth in 2012.

How many receiving yards did Julio Jones rack up in one 2016 game against Carolina, a franchise record?

Matt Ryan threw for 503 yards the same day, another team record.

Which trio were dubbed Atlanta's "Big Three" in the early 2010s?

The nickname was based on their combined receiving yards.

What was the Falcons' lead late in the third quarter of Super Bowl LI before the collapse?

New England scored 31 unanswered points, the largest comeback in Super Bowl history.

What was the final score of Super Bowl LI?

It was the first Super Bowl decided in overtime; New England won the toss and scored on the opening drive.

In which city was Super Bowl LI played?

NRG Stadium had also hosted Super Bowl XXXVIII, another Patriots win over an NFC South team.

How many points did the 2016 Falcons score, tying the 2000 'Greatest Show on Turf' Rams?

It was the seventh-highest total in NFL history; the defense gave up 406.

Whom did the Falcons beat 44-21 in the 2016 NFC Championship, the Georgia Dome's last game?

The first regular-season game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium was a rematch, won 34-23 by Atlanta.

What is distinctive about the roof of Mercedes-Benz Stadium?

When open the panels suggest a bird's wings, and the circular opening was inspired by the Pantheon in Rome.

What is the giant ring-shaped video board around the rim of Mercedes-Benz Stadium called?

It measures 58 by 1,100 feet; the stadium is also known for $2 refillable sodas and $5 beers.

Roughly how much did Mercedes-Benz Stadium cost to build?

Arthur Blank put in $800 million and the city $200 million from hotel taxes; it also hosted Super Bowl LIII and 2026 World Cup matches.

Which MLS club shares Mercedes-Benz Stadium with the Falcons?

Both are run by AMB Group, and the stadium hosted the 2018 MLS Cup.

Why did the Falcons lose a 2016 draft pick?

The NFL investigated the artificial noise in February 2015.

To which team did the Falcons trade Matt Ryan in March 2022?

He played one season there and retired; Julio Jones had been traded to Tennessee the year before.

Which Texas running back did the Falcons draft eighth overall in 2023?

He won the Doak Walker Award in 2022 after 1,580 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns.

How much was Kirk Cousins' 2024 contract with the Falcons worth?

Six weeks later the team drafted Michael Penix Jr. eighth overall, and Penix replaced him as starter by Week 16.

Which quarterback did the Falcons draft eighth overall in 2024, weeks after signing Kirk Cousins?

Head coach Raheem Morris named him the starter from Week 16 of his rookie year.

Who was named the Falcons' 20th head coach in January 2026?

He arrived from Cleveland after Raheem Morris was fired following two seasons.

With which MLB team did the Falcons share their first stadium until 1991?

The Falcons have had three homes: that stadium, the Georgia Dome and Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

What colour were the Falcons' helmets when the team began play in 1966?

The team's colours are black, red, silver and white; a new logo arrived in 2003.

Which Tennessee State defensive end, a Falcon from 1968, entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2014?

His 39 college sacks were a school record when he graduated.

Where are the Falcons' headquarters and practice facility?

The 50-acre site is northeast of the city in Hall County.

What did the Falcons' 41-10 win over New England in November 1998 end?

The Dirty Birds finished 14-2 that year.

The Falcons are the oldest major pro sports team in America without what?

They have won six division titles and two conference titles since 1966.

Whose franchise-record 509 passing yards came in a Falcons game on October 3, 2024?

He was in the first year of a four-year, $180 million deal signed that spring.

In January 2003 the Falcons handed which team its first-ever home playoff defeat, 27–7?

It was Michael Vick's first season as the starter, with newly signed running back Warrick Dunn alongside him.

The Falcons' first ever win, on November 20, 1966, came on the road against which struggling team?

It came at Yankee Stadium after nine straight losses to open the inaugural season.

Which former Patriots college scouting director became Falcons general manager in January 2008?

Ten days later Mike Smith was hired as head coach, and Matt Ryan arrived that spring at third overall.

Who was the Falcons' first head coach in 1966?

His team began 0–9 before finally winning at Yankee Stadium.