Q 01/05

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

A) 1966

B) 1960

C) 1963

D) 1965

Answer · why

A) 1966

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

Q 02/05

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

A) $1 million

B) $8.5 million

C) $4 million

D) $6 million

Answer · why

B) $8.5 million

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

Q 03/05

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

A) Owner Rankin Smith's daughter

B) A Georgia Tech football coach

C) A schoolteacher from Griffin, Georgia

D) The mayor of Atlanta

Answer · why

C) A schoolteacher from Griffin, Georgia

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

Q 04/05

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

A) Claude Humphrey

B) Steve Bartkowski

C) Tommy Nobis

D) Jeff Van Note

Answer · why

C) Tommy Nobis

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

Q 05/05

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

A) 3

B) 5

C) 9

D) 7

Answer · why

C) 9

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