Introduction: The Rise of the Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are one of the National Football League’ highly recognizable franchises. Established in 1965 and beginning play in 1966, the Falcons brought professional football to – and built a passionate fan base throughout the South.
Known for their red, black, and white colors, the Falcons have produced outstanding quarterbacks, explosive running backs, dominant defensive players, and some of the most memorable teams in modern NFL history.
Although Atlanta has yet to win a Super Bowl championship, the franchise has captured two NFC championships, reached the Super Bowl twice, won multiple division titles, and developed stars whose accomplishments have earned them places among football’s greatest players.
From the defensive dominance of Claude Humphrey to the electrifying performances of Michael Vick and the record-setting passing of Matt Ryan, the Falcons’ story is one of perseverance, spectacular football, heartbreak, and hope.
The Founding of the Atlanta Falcons
On June 30, 1965, the NFL awarded Atlanta its 15th franchise. The original owner was businessman Rankin M. Smith Sr., who secured the team for $8.5 million.
The name “Falcons” was selected through a public naming contest. A schoolteacher from Griffin, Georgia, suggested the name and explained that the falcon represented courage, dignity, and a fighting spirit.
The Falcons played their first regular-season game on September 11, 1966, losing to the Los Angeles Rams. Their first victory came later that season against the New York Giants.
The early years were difficult, as expansion teams generally struggled to compete with established NFL clubs. Nevertheless, Atlanta gradually developed a competitive identity and established a foundation for future success.
Every Principal Owner of the Atlanta Falcons
The franchise has had three principal ownership eras.
Rankin M. Smith Sr. — 1965–1989
Rankin Smith was the original owner who brought the NFL to Atlanta. His investment established the foundation of the franchise and helped make professional football a permanent part of the city’s sporting culture. During his ownership, the Falcons developed their first significant defensive stars and began competing for division championships. The 1980 team won the NFC West with a 12–4 regular-season record, giving Atlanta its first division title. Smith remained the franchise’s principal owner until his death in 1990.
Taylor Smith — 1990–2001
Taylor Smith, Rankin Smith’s son, succeeded him as principal owner. His ownership period included the transition from Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium to the Georgia Dome.
The Falcons reached their first Super Bowl during this era. Following the 1998 season, Atlanta won the NFC championship and advanced to Super Bowl XXXIII.
The team lost to the Denver Broncos, 34–19, but the season remains one of the defining accomplishments in franchise history.
Arthur M. Blank — 2002–present
Arthur Blank, co-founder of The Home Depot, purchased the Falcons in 2002. His ownership brought a new era of investment, organizational development, and stadium modernization. During Blank’s tenure, Atlanta experienced the Michael Vick era, the arrival of quarterback Matt Ryan, multiple division championships, and another Super Bowl appearance. Blank’s ownership also oversaw the construction and opening of Mercedes-Benz Stadium in 2017. He has emphasized community involvement, fan experience, and the Falcons’ long-term place in Atlanta.
Ownership summary:
Rankin M. Smith Sr., Taylor Smith, and Arthur M. Blank represent the three principal ownership eras of the franchise. Taylor Smith’s period followed his father’s death; it was not a separate expansion franchise.. Every Home Stadium of the Atlanta Falcons
Every Home Stadium
The Falcons have played their home games in three stadiums.
Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium — 1966–1991
The Falcons’ original home served as their football stadium for 26 seasons. It was also home to Major League Baseball’s Atlanta Braves. The stadium witnessed the franchise’s early struggles, the development of defensive standout Tommy Nobis, and the rise of quarterback Steve Bartkowski.
In 1980, Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium hosted a division-winning Falcons team that established itself as a legitimate NFC contender.
Georgia Dome — 1992–2016
The Georgia Dome became the Falcons’ home in 1992 and provided an indoor environment for football in downtown Atlanta. It hosted some of the greatest moments in franchise history, including the 1998 NFC Championship season and the 2016 campaign that culminated in Super Bowl LI. The Falcons played their final regular-season game in the Dome on January 1, 2017. The stadium’s football legacy concluded with Atlanta defeating Green Bay in the NFC Championship Game later that month.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium — 2017–present
Mercedes-Benz Stadium opened in 2017 on the site of the former Georgia Dome. It features a retractable roof, a distinctive architectural design, and modern amenities for fans.
The Falcons opened their new home against the Green Bay Packers on September 17, 2017, winning 34–23.
The stadium represents Atlanta’s modern sporting identity and has hosted major football and other sporting events. The Falcons’ home-stadium timeline:
– 1966–1991: Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium
– 1992–2016: Georgia Dome
– 2017–present: Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Pro Football Hall of Fame: Falcons Players and Their Distinctions
The Pro Football Hall of Fame recognizes players for their entire NFL careers. A player who spent a short period in Atlanta may be a Hall of Famer without having earned that distinction primarily through his Falcons accomplishments.
Because this article distinguishes Falcons-specific achievement from Hall of Fame careers built elsewhere, the difference matters. Claude Humphrey — Defensive End
Hall of Fame Class of 2014
Claude Humphrey is one of the strongest examples of a Hall of Fame career built substantially in Atlanta. Drafted by the Falcons in 1968, Humphrey became one of the NFL’s most feared defensive ends. He recorded 94.5 sacks during his Falcons career, according to the franchise’s historical records, and earned six Pro Bowl selections. Humphrey’s combination of strength, quickness, and pass-rushing ability made him a cornerstone of Atlanta’s early defensive identity. He is the clearest choice when highlighting a Pro Football Hall of Famer whose legacy is closely tied to the Falcons.
Other Pro Football Hall of Famers Who Played for Atlanta
The following players also wore Falcons uniforms, although their Hall of Fame recognition reflects their broader careers rather than being exclusively an Atlanta honor.
Deion Sanders — Class of 2011: An extraordinary cornerback and return specialist who played for Atlanta from 1989 through 1993. He brought speed, confidence, and game-changing ability to the Falcons.
Morten Andersen — Class of 2017 The legendary kicker spent 13 seasons with Atlanta across two stints. His overtime field goal against Minnesota in the 1998 NFC Championship Game sent the Falcons to their first Super Bowl
Eric Dickerson — Class of 1999: The celebrated running back played briefly for Atlanta in 1993, late in a career most closely associated with the Los Angeles Rams and other teams.
Chris Doleman — Class of 2012 The dominant defensive end played for Atlanta in 1994 and 1995, following his best-known years with Minnesota.
Tommy McDonald — Class of 1998The Hall of Fame receiver played for the Falcons in 1967 after achieving his greatest success with the Philadelphia Eagles.
These players demonstrate the Falcons’ connections to football greatness while illustrating why a Hall of Fame induction should not automatically be treated as a Falcons-specific honor.
Falcons Coaches and the Pro Football Hall of Fame
No Atlanta Falcons head coach has been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame specifically for a coaching career built with Atlanta.
Several coaches, however, helped shape the franchise’s history.
Norm Van Brocklin
Van Brocklin coached the Falcons from 1968 through 1974 and led the franchise to its first winning season in 1971. He was already a Hall of Fame quarterback because of his playing career with the Los Angeles Rams and His Hall of Fame status was earned as a player, not as a Falcons coach.
Leeman Bennett
Bennett coached Atlanta from 1977 through 1982. His 1977 defense allowed just 129 points in a 14-game season, a remarkable mark in NFL history. He also guided the Falcons to multiple playoff appearances, establishing one of the franchise’s earliest sustained periods of competitiveness.
Dan Reeves
Reeves coached Atlanta from 1997 through 2003 and led the team to its first Super Bowl appearance after the 1998 season. He had previously reached Super Bowls as head coach of the Denver Broncos. Reeves was not inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a coach, so his achievements should not be confused with Hall of Fame recognition.
Historical distinction: Hall of Fame players who later coached Atlanta, and coaches who achieved success with other teams, should be identified according to the capacity in which they earned recognition. A player’s Hall of Fame status does not make a Falcons coaching career a Hall of Fame coaching career.
NFL Rookie of the Year Award Winners as Falcons
The Falcons have had several outstanding rookies, but one player stands above the rest in terms of major national rookie honors.
Matt Ryan — 2008 Offensive Rookie of the Year
Matt Ryan arrived in Atlanta as the third overall selection in the 2008 NFL Draft after starring at Boston College. Ryan immediately transformed the franchise. After Atlanta finished 4–12 in 2007, he helped lead the team to an 11–5 record in 2008 and a playoff appearance. Ryan earned Offensive Rookie of the Year honors from the Associated Press and the Pro Football Writers of America. He also received recognition from The Sporting News. His poise, accuracy, leadership, and ability to read NFL defenses made him the centerpiece of Atlanta’s most successful modern era.
Falcons rookie award record: Matt Ryan is the franchise’s defining winner of the Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year award. This distinction is separate from Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.
NFL Most Valuable Player Award Winner as a Falcon
Matt Ryan — 2016 NFL Most Valuable Player
The 2016 season was the greatest individual season in Falcons history. Ryan completed 373 passes for 4,944 yards and 38 touchdowns. He threw only seven interceptions and finished with a 117.1 passer rating. Under offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, the Falcons developed one of the league’s most productive offenses. Ryan distributed the football to an outstanding group of receivers, including Julio Jones, while Atlanta’s rushing attack added balance. Ryan earned the Associated Press NFL Most Valuable Player award and Offensive Player of the Year honors. Atlanta finished the regular season 11–5, won the NFC South, and defeated Seattle and Green Bay in the playoffs to capture the NFC championship. The Falcons then faced the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LI. Atlanta led 28–3 before New England rallied to win 34–28 in overtime.
Despite the painful ending, Ryan’s 2016 campaign remains the highest individual achievement by a Falcons player.
Falcons NFL MVP winner: Matt Ryan, 2016.
No other Falcons player has won the Associated Press NFL Most Valuable Player award as a member of Atlanta through the 2025 season.
The Greatest Players in Atlanta Falcons History
Atlanta has produced numerous players worthy of recognition. The following stars represent different eras of the franchise.
Matt Ryan — Quarterback
Ryan is the leading choice for the franchise’s most outstanding player because of his longevity, statistical production, leadership, and major awards. He spent 14 seasons with Atlanta, from 2008 through 2021, and established franchise records for passing yards, completions, passing touchdowns, and numerous other categories. Ryan led the Falcons to five playoff appearances and two NFC Championship Games, winning one conference title. His 2016 MVP season and the Super Bowl LI run cemented his position among the greatest players in franchise history.
Julio Jones — Wide Receiver
Julio Jones was one of the NFL’s most dominant receivers during his Atlanta career, which lasted from 2011 through 2020. His combination of size, speed, body control, and exceptional catching ability made him a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses. Jones finished his Falcons career with 848 receptions for 12,896 yards and 60 receiving touchdowns. His ability to stretch the field was a major component of Atlanta’s explosive offenses.
Michael Vick — Quarterback
Michael Vick transformed expectations for the quarterback position through his running ability and exceptional athleticism. With Atlanta, Vick helped the Falcons reach the NFC Championship Game following the 2004 season. He became one of the most electrifying players in football and expanded the possibilities of a mobile quarterback in the modern NFL.
Deion Sanders — Cornerback and Return Specialist
Sanders brought elite speed, coverage skills, and an unmistakable personality to Atlanta from 1989 through 1993. He could shut down receivers, return punts for touchdowns, and change the momentum of a game in seconds. His Falcons career helped establish his reputation as one of the greatest defensive backs in football.
Steve Bartkowski — Quarterback
Bartkowski was Atlanta’s first great franchise quarterback. Selected first overall in the 1975 NFL Draft, he became a central figure in the Falcons’ rise during the late 1970s and early 1980s. He led Atlanta to its first division championship in 1980 and helped establish a winning tradition that earlier teams had struggled to achieve.
Tommy Nobis — Linebacker
Nobis was Atlanta’s first draft selection and one of the franchise’s original stars. Known for his tackling, toughness, and leadership, he represented the competitive spirit of the Falcons’ early years. His number 60 is retired by the franchise.
Claude Humphrey — Defensive End
Humphrey’s relentless pass rush made him one of the most important defensive players in early Falcons history. His Pro Football Hall of Fame career and six Pro Bowl selections make him an essential part of the team’s legacy.
Other Notable Falcons
Additional franchise greats include running backs William Andrews and Gerald Riggs, center Jeff Van Note, receiver Roddy White, linebacker Jessie Tuggle, tight end Tony Gonzalez, quarterback Michael Vick, and defensive end John Abraham. Together, these players demonstrate the Falcons’ history of developing stars on both sides of the football.
The Most Outstanding Falcons Coach
Best Overall Choice: Mike Smith
Mike Smith coached Atlanta from 2008 through 2014 and became the winningest head coach in franchise history by regular-season victories. Smith inherited a team coming off a 4–12 season and immediately helped turn it around. The Falcons went 11–5 in his first year, reached the playoffs, and established a winning culture. During his tenure, Atlanta won the NFC South in 2010 and 2012 and reached the playoffs four times. His teams were known for consistency, strong quarterback play, and competitive balance. Smith’s 2012 Falcons went 13–3 and reached the NFC Championship Game, narrowly losing to the San Francisco 49ers.
Although Smith did not lead Atlanta to a Super Bowl, his regular-season success and sustained competitiveness make him a strong choice as the franchise’s most outstanding coach overall.
The Coach Behind the First Super Bowl: Dan Reeves
Dan Reeves deserves special recognition because he led Atlanta to the most important milestone of its early modern history.
His 1998 team finished 14–2, won the NFC West, and captured the NFC championship. The Falcons then faced the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXXIII.taken
Atlanta lost 34–19, but Reeves had the franchise to a stage it had never previously reached.
The Coach Behind the Second Super Bowl: Dan Quinn
Dan Quinn coached Atlanta from 2015 through 2020 and led the Falcons to Super Bowl LI following the 2016 season. His team featured an explosive offense, led by Matt Ryan and Julio Jones, and advanced through the NFC playoffs before facing New England. The Super Bowl collapse remains one of the most painful moments in NFL history, but Quinn’s team had reached the sport’s biggest stage and won the NFC championship.
Final coaching assessment: Mike Smith is the strongest choice for Atlanta’s most outstanding head coach based on sustained regular-season success. Dan Reeves deserves recognition for leading the franchise to its first Super Bowl, while Dan Quinn led the second Super Bowl team.
Atlanta Falcons Championships and Major Accomplishments
The Falcons’ history includes several landmark achievements.
*1980:* Won the NFC West division championship with a 12–4 record.
– *1998:* Finished 14–2, won the NFC championship, and made the franchise’s first Super Bowl appearance.
*2004:* Won the NFC South and reached the NFC Championship Game
.*2010:* Won the NoSuper Bowl Appearance.*
*Super Bowl XXXIII — January 31, 1999*
Atlanta faced the Denver Broncos after a remarkable 1998 season. Denver won 34–19.
*Super Bowl LI — February 5, 2017*
Atlanta faced the New England Patriots after the 2016 season. The Falcons led 28–3 but ultimately lost 34–28 in overtime.
The Falcons have made two Super Bowl appearances but have not yet won a Super Bowl championship.
The Legacy of the Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons’ legacy cannot be measured solely by championships. It also includes the players who transformed the game, the teams that captured Atlanta’s imagination, and the fan base that has remained loyal through difficult seasons.
The franchise’s early years were defined by defensive stars such as Tommy Nobis and Claude Humphrey. The 1980 division champions demonstrated that Atlanta could compete with the NFL’s best.
The 1998 team changed the franchise’s national reputation. Led by quarterback Chris Chandler, running back Jamal Anderson, and a determined defense, the Falcons reached their first Super Bowl and introduced the memorable “Dirty Bird” celebration.
The Michael Vick era brought unprecedented athletic excitement and national attention. Later, Matt Ryan and Julio Jones helped establish Atlanta as one of the league’s most productive offenses.
The 2016 season produced the franchise’s greatest individual award winner in Ryan and its second NFC championship. Although the Super Bowl defeat was devastating, that season remains an essential part of the Falcons’ story.
Arthur Blank’s ownership has also helped modernize the organization and its stadium experience. Mercedes-Benz Stadium serves as a prominent landmark in Atlanta and a home for generations of Falcons fans.
The franchise continues to pursue the goal that has eluded it since its founding: winning its first Super Bowl championship.
Final Verdict: The Best of the Atlanta Falcons
Most outstanding player: Matt Ryan
Ryan earns this distinction through his 14 seasons in Atlanta, franchise passing records, 2008 Offensive Rookie of the Year honors, 2016 NFL MVP award, and leadership of the franchise’s second NFC championship team.
*Most outstanding coach: Mike Smith*
Smith’s regular-season record, division championships, and sustained competitiveness make him the strongest overall choice. Dan Reeves and Dan Quinn deserve special recognition for leading Atlanta to its two Super Bowl appearances.
*Most important Hall of Fame figure closely associated with the Falcons: Claude Humphrey*
Humphrey’s Hall of Fame career was built substantially through his years in Atlanta, making him a particularly appropriate representative of the franchise’s defensive tradition.
Most iconic Falcons moment: The 1998 NFC Championship
Morten Andersen’s overtime field goal against Minnesota sent Atlanta to its first Super Bowl and remains one of the most celebrated moments in team history.
Greatest team achievement: The NFC championships of 1998 and 2016
These two seasons represent the highest competitive achievements in Falcons history.
Conclusion
The Atlanta Falcons have experienced remarkable highs and painful lows since entering the NFL in 1966. Their history includes three principal ownership eras, three home stadiums, Hall of Fame players, major individual awards, division championships, and two Super Bowl appearances.
Matt Ryan represents the franchise’s statistical and individual-award excellence. Mike Smith represents its sustained regular-season success. Claude Humphrey represents its early defensive greatness, while Morten Andersen’s decisive kick in 1998 symbolizes the team’s breakthrough onto the Super Bowl stage.
For Atlanta fans, the Falcons are more than a football team. They represent a city, a region, and generations of supporters who continue to believe that the franchise’s first Super Bowl championship is still ahead.
Rise Up, Atlanta!
Artie Fischal
