Learn the full story of Bold Atlanta Falcons since 1965 , their formation and early playoff appearances in 1965, the days of Michael Vick, the MVP season of Matt Ryan, the tragic 28-3 super bowl loss, and their current rebuilding with a new young core.
Founding and Early Years (1965–1970)
- Franchise Birth:
On June 30, 1965, Atlanta Falcons was formed and it became the 15 th franchise in NFL. Rankin Smith Sr., an insurance executive, paid the team an $8.5 million, which was at the time the highest bid ever bid for a franchise in the NFL.
- Team Name:
This was named Falcons through a naming contest. It was recommended by a schoolteacher who explained the falcon to be a haughty and noble bird that is very brave and battles.
- First Season (1966):
On September 11, 1966, the Falcons lost their debut game to the Los Angeles Rams, 19-14. They started their first season with a record of 3-11 with head coach Norb Hecker.
- Early Struggles:
The Falcons did not record a winning record during their first five seasons which is normal in a new franchise that is starting afresh.
First Taste of Success (1971–1977)
- Key Draft Picks:
Falcons drafted a linebacker called Tommy Nobis in 1968, and he was the first star and Mr. Falcon.
- First Winning Season (1971):
Atlanta led by Bob Berry as the QB and Canonball Butler as the RB got the first winning record of 7-6-1.
- 1973 Near-Playoff Run:
The team ended with 9-5 and just barely missed out on the postseason.
- The Grit Blitz Defense (1977):
Defensive coordinator Jerry Glanville developed one of the most powerful defenses in NFL history that conceded only 129 (9.2 per game) which was an all-time record in the 14-game season.
Playoff Breakthrough (1978–1982)
- First Playoff Appearance (1978):
The Falcons under a coach Leeman Bennett were 9-7 and this was their first appearance in the playoffs. They beat the Philadelphia Eagles 14-13 in the Wild Card round and lost to Dallas.
- Early 80s:
Atlanta had won the first NFC West division championship in 1980 (12-4) but lost a heartbreaker to the Cowboys in the playoffs.
- 1982 Strike Season:
The team reached the playoffs in the strike-cut shortened year but they lost in the first round.
Turbulent Years (1983–1990)
- Coaching Carousel:
After Bennett was fired in 1982, the team remained inconsistent in several years that followed under the leadership of Dan Henning and Marion Campbell.
- Bright Spots:
Such players as WR Billy White Shoes Johnson, LB Jessie Tuggle, RB Gerald Riggs became the favorites of the fans.
- Losing Records:
Several seasons of over a hundred losses followed, the Falcons had not made the playoffs in almost ten years.
The “Prime Time” Era (1991–1994)
- Jerry Glanville Returns:
The old defensive coach came back as head coach in 1990 and he showed excitement and swagger.
- 1991 Season:
With QB Chris Miller, WR Andre Rison, and lightning-rod CB/return man Deion “Prime Time” Sanders, the Falcons reached 10-6 and won their first playoff game in almost ten years ( vs. New Orleans).
- Decline:
The star power failed to deliver any progress in the team in the later seasons and Glanville was fired after 1993.
Dan Reeves and Super Bowl Run (1997–1998)
- Hiring Dan Reeves:
In 1997, Reeves a veteran coach replaced him.
- 1998 Magical Season:
The Falcons had finished with a record of 14-2 which was the best record in the history of the franchise at that time. With QB Chris Chandler, RB Jamal Anderson (Dirty Bird dance), and a fat defense, Atlanta upset the whole league by defeating Minnesota Vikings in the NFC championship.
- Super Bowl XXXIII:
The Falcons had to play against Denver Broncos but lost 34-19.
- Aftermath:
This went downhill after the Super Bowl season due to injuries and inconsistent play.
The Michael Vick Era (2001–2006)
- Drafting a Superstar:
Atlanta also selected QB Michael Vick first overall in 2001 becoming the first Black quarterback to be drafted first.
- 2002 Playoff Run:
Vick caused Atlanta to win the Wild Card against Green Bay which was the first time the Packers lost a home playoff game.
- 2004 NFC Championship:
The Falcons under coach Jim Mora Jr. recorded 11-5 and made it to the NFC conference game but lost to the Philadelphia Eagles.
- Controversy & Downfall:
Vick was one of the most popular players in NFL but after an investigation into federal dogfighting, he was suspended in 2007, which terminated his Falcon playing career.
Matt Ryan & Consistency (2008–2016)
- New Era:
In 2008, a new chapter was marked with QB Matt Ryan (3 rd overall) being drafted by GM Thomas Dimitroff and coach Mike Smith.
- Immediate Impact:
Ryan became the Offensive Rookie of the Year, which contributed to Atlanta getting an 11-5 playoff spot.
- 2010–2012 Dominance:
Falcons became NFC South champions a few times, such as 13-3 in 2010 and a 2012 NFC final (lost to San Francisco).
- Playoff Frustrations:
Post-season wins were limited although it was successful in regular seasons.
Super Bowl LI Heartbreak (2016)
- Dan Quinn & Explosive Offense:
In 2016, Ryan (MVP), and WR Julio Jones, led the Falcons to the highest-scoring offense in the NFL under the leadership of Quinn.
- Historic Collapse:
Atlanta made it to Super Bowl LI with the New England Patriots. They formed a 28-3 lead and had one of the most famous collapses ever in the history of sport losing 34-28 in overtime.
Post-Super Bowl Struggles (2017–2020)
- Near Misses:
Falcons made a comeback to the playoffs in 2017 where they lost to the Eagles.
- Decline:
Consecutive losing seasons were caused by injuries, poor drafts and defensive struggles. Dan Quinn was fired in 2020.
Rebuild & Current Era (2021–Present)
- New Leadership:
Arthur Smith was hired by the Falcons as a head coach (2021) and Terry Fontenot as a GM.
- Matt Ryan Trade:
In 2022, franchise QB Matt Ryan, who had been with the team a long time, was sold to the Indianapolis Colts, an indicator of a rebuild.
- Young Core:
The team has signed such stars as TE Kyle Pitts (2021), WR Drake London (2022), and RB Bijan Robinson (2023).
- 2023 Season:
Atlanta was promising briefly but it still sought a steady quarterback performance.
- 2024 & Beyond:
The Falcons are still at the rebuilding stage, as they need to work with their youthful team and get a long-term solution at the QB.
Franchise Legacy & Records
- Super Bowl Appearances: 2 (1998, 2016) –0-2 record.
- NFC Championships: 2 (1998, 2016).
- Division Titles: 6 (1980, 1998, 2004, 2010, 2012, 2016).
- Before 2013: Ring of Honor Legends: Tommy Nobis, Deion Sanders, Jessie Tuggle, Mike Kenn, Roddy White, Matt Ryan, Julio Jones (probably a future inductee).
Key Takeaways
- Identity: The one with its times of offensive explosion (Vick, Ryan/Jones) and devastating defeats (Super Bowl LI).
- Fan Base: The dirty birds boast of one of the most enthusiastic fan bases in the NFL.
- Outlook: A young core is promising, though the next generation of the NFL will be characterized by a steady quarterback position.
Conclusion
The history of Atlanta Falcons can be described as a tale of perseverance, exciting good times, and devastating disappointments. Since 1965 when they started small, the franchise has offered the fans both moments of memories of excitement and brokenness of the heart. The elusive Super Bowl championship is still elusive, but the ardent supporters of Atlanta and the young talent are expected to give the city a promising future, including such stars as Kyle Pitts, Drake London, or Bijan Robinson. Having the right leadership and a long term quarterback solution, the Falcons will be ready to transform decades of nearly-misses to glory.
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