Atlanta Falcons facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Atlanta Falcons
Current season
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Basic info
Established	June 30, 1965; 60 years ago (1965-06-30)
Stadium	Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
Headquartered	Flowery Branch, Georgia
Colors	Black, red, silver, white
Mascot	Freddie Falcon
Personnel
Owner(s)	Arthur Blank
CEO	Rich McKay
President	Greg Beadles
General manager	Terry Fontenot
Head coach	Raheem Morris
Nicknames
The Dirty Birds Grits Blitz (1977 defense)
Team history
Atlanta Falcons (1966–present)
Home fields
Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium (1966–1991) Georgia Dome (1992–2016) Mercedes-Benz Stadium (2017–present)
League / conference affiliations
National Football League (1966–present) Eastern Conference (1966) Western Conference (1967–1969) Coastal Division (1967–1969) National Football Conference (1970–present) NFC West (1970–2001) NFC South (2002–present)
Championships
League championships: 0
Conference championships: 2 NFC: 1998, 2016
Division championships: 6 NFC West: 1980, 1998 NFC South: 2004, 2010, 2012, 2016
Playoff appearances (14)
NFL: 1978, 1980, 1982, 1991, 1995, 1998, 2002, 2004, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2016, 2017
Owner(s)
Rankin M. Smith Sr. (1965–1989) Taylor Smith (1989–2002) Arthur Blank (2002–present)

The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team. They are based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Falcons play in the National Football League (NFL). They are part of the National Football Conference (NFC) South division.

The team started on June 30, 1965. They joined the NFL in 1966 as a new team. This happened after the NFL offered a franchise to Rankin Smith. He was considering joining a rival league, the American Football League (AFL).

In their history, the Falcons have won division championships six times. These were in 1980, 1998, 2004, 2010, 2012, and 2016. The Falcons have played in two Super Bowls. They lost to the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXXIII in 1998. Eighteen years later, they lost to the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LI in overtime. They are the oldest major professional sports team in America without a championship win.

The Falcons play their home games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. This stadium opened for the 2017 season. The team's main offices and practice fields are in Flowery Branch. This area is northeast of Atlanta.

Team History

How the Falcons Started (1960s)

Professional football first came to Atlanta with exhibition games in 1962. After the Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium was built in 1965, Atlanta wanted a professional team. Both the AFL and NFL were interested in having a team there.

NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle worked quickly to get Atlanta for the NFL. He made the city choose between the two leagues. On June 30, 1965, the city chose Rankin Smith and the NFL. The Atlanta Falcons became the 15th NFL team.

Rankin Smith Sr. paid $8.5 million for the team. This was the highest price for an NFL franchise at that time. The Falcons got the first pick in the 1966 NFL draft. They chose linebacker Tommy Nobis from the University of Texas. He was the first-ever Falcon.

The team got its nickname, "Falcons," on August 29, 1965. A school teacher named Julia Elliott suggested it. She wrote that the falcon is "proud and dignified, with great courage and fight."

Early Years and First Playoff Wins (1966–2001)

The Falcons' first season was in 1966. They lost their first nine games. Their first win was against the New York Giants on November 20, 1966. The team struggled for many years. They had only two winning seasons in their first 12 years.

The Falcons' defense taking on Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway during a 1985 game.

In the 1978 season, the Falcons made the playoffs for the first time. They won their Wild Card game against the Eagles. In 1980, the Falcons had their best record yet, 12–4. They won their first NFC West division title. However, they lost in the playoffs to the Dallas Cowboys.

In the 1989 NFL draft, the Falcons picked cornerback Deion Sanders. He was a very exciting player. He was known as "Neon Deion" or "Prime Time." He helped bring a lot of attention to the team. Sanders also played major league baseball at the same time.

The Falcons playing against the Los Angeles Rams during a 1991 away game.

In 1991, the Falcons made the playoffs again. They beat the New Orleans Saints but lost to the Washington Redskins. The Falcons also drafted quarterback Brett Favre in 1991. He was traded to the Green Bay Packers the next year.

In 1992, the Falcons moved into a new stadium, the Georgia Dome. They played there until 2016.

The Dan Reeves Era (1997–2003)

In 1998, under coach Dan Reeves, the Falcons had their best season. With quarterback Chris Chandler and running back Jamal Anderson, they were called the "Dirty Birds." They finished with a great 14–2 record. They won the NFC West division.

On January 17, 1999, the Falcons beat the Minnesota Vikings in an exciting overtime game. This sent them to their first-ever Super Bowl. However, they lost Super Bowl XXXIII to the Denver Broncos.

The next season, Jamal Anderson got a serious knee injury. The team struggled, finishing 5–11. In 2001, the Falcons traded for the first overall draft pick. They used it to select quarterback Michael Vick.

The Arthur Blank Era (2002–present)

In 2002, Home Depot co-founder Arthur M. Blank bought the team. The Falcons returned to the playoffs in 2002. It was Michael Vick's first year as the starting quarterback. They beat the Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card Round. This was the Packers' first home playoff loss ever. The Falcons then lost to the Philadelphia Eagles.

In 2003, Michael Vick broke his leg and missed most of the season. Coach Dan Reeves was fired. The team finished with a 5–11 record.

Jim Mora and Bobby Petrino (2004–2007)

In 2004, Jim L. Mora became the new head coach. Michael Vick returned for the full season. The Falcons went 11–5 and won their division. They beat the St. Louis Rams in the playoffs. They then lost to the Eagles in the NFC Championship Game.

In 2006, Michael Vick became the first quarterback to rush for over 1,000 yards in a season. After a 7–9 season, coach Jim Mora was dismissed.

Bobby Petrino became the coach in 2007. Before the season, Michael Vick was suspended by the NFL and later left the team. The Falcons had to start Joey Harrington at quarterback. Petrino resigned during the season to coach at a college. The team finished with a 4–12 record.

Mike Smith Years (2008–2014)

After a tough 2007 season, the Falcons made big changes. They hired Thomas Dimitroff as General Manager and Mike Smith as head coach. They also drafted quarterback Matt Ryan third overall in the 2008 NFL draft.

The Falcons had a great 2008 season, finishing 11–5. They made the playoffs as a wild card team. Matt Ryan was named Offensive Rookie of the Year. Mike Smith was named NFL Coach of the Year.

In 2010, the Falcons had a 13–3 record. They won their division and were the top seed in the NFC playoffs. However, they lost to the Green Bay Packers in the Divisional Playoffs.

In 2011, the Falcons traded up in the draft to pick wide receiver Julio Jones. He became a star player. The team finished 10–6 but lost in the Wild Card game to the New York Giants.

In 2012, the Falcons started 8–0. They finished the season 13–3 and were the top seed in the NFC playoffs again. They won their first playoff game against the Seattle Seahawks. This was the only playoff win during the Mike Smith era. They then played the San Francisco 49ers for a spot in the Super Bowl. The Falcons led at halftime but lost a close game 28–24.

The Falcons struggled in 2013 and 2014, finishing with losing records. Mike Smith was fired after the 2014 season.

Dan Quinn Years (2015–2020)

Dan Quinn

In 2015, Dan Quinn became the new head coach. The team started 5–0 but finished 8–8.

The 2016 season was the Falcons' last in the Georgia Dome. They had a strong season, finishing 11–5 and winning their division. Matt Ryan threw for 503 yards in one game, and Julio Jones had 300 receiving yards in another.

In the playoffs, Atlanta beat the Seattle Seahawks and the Green Bay Packers. This sent them to Super Bowl LI. They led the New England Patriots 28–3 in the third quarter. However, the Patriots made a huge comeback and won 34–28 in overtime. This was the largest comeback in Super Bowl history.

The Falcons moved into the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium in 2017. They made the playoffs again with a 10–6 record. They beat the Los Angeles Rams but lost to the Philadelphia Eagles in the Divisional Playoff. The 2018 and 2019 seasons saw the Falcons miss the playoffs.

In 2020, after starting 0–5, Dan Quinn and General Manager Thomas Dimitroff were fired. Raheem Morris took over as interim coach. The team finished 4–12.

Arthur Smith Years (2021–2024)

On January 15, 2021, Arthur Smith became the 18th head coach. The team also hired Terry Fontenot as general manager. They drafted tight end Kyle Pitts and traded longtime star receiver Julio Jones. The Falcons finished 7–10 in 2021.

In March 2022, the Falcons traded longtime star quarterback Matt Ryan. The team finished 7–10 again in 2022.

In 2023, the Falcons drafted running back Bijan Robinson. They also added key defensive players like Jessie Bates and Calais Campbell. Despite high hopes, the team finished 7–10 for the third year in a row. Arthur Smith was fired after the season.

Raheem Morris Years (2024–present)

On January 25, 2024, Raheem Morris returned to the Falcons as the 19th head coach. In the 2024 season, the team finished with an 8–9 record.

Stadiums

The Falcons have played in three stadiums. Their first home was the Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium. They shared it with the Atlanta Braves baseball team until 1991.

In 1992, the Georgia Dome was built. The Falcons played there until the 2016 season. The Georgia Dome was also used for many college football games.

The team's current home is the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. It opened in 2017. Team owner Arthur Blank helped fund the new stadium. It has a retractable roof. It is also home to the Atlanta United FC soccer team.

Logo and Uniforms

The Atlanta Falcons' colors are black, red, silver, and white. When the team started in 1966, their helmets were red with a black falcon logo. The colors were chosen to represent two rival college teams in Georgia: Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (white and gold) and the Georgia Bulldogs (red and black).

Over the years, the uniforms changed. In 1990, they switched to black helmets. In 2003, both the logo and uniforms were redesigned. The new logo showed a more powerful falcon. It also looked like the letter "F." The uniforms featured red and silver accents.

In 2004, the red jerseys became the main home jerseys. The black ones became alternate jerseys. The Falcons also wore all-black uniforms for some games.

In 2016, the Falcons introduced an all-red "Color Rush" uniform. They also brought back a mixed throwback uniform that looked like their 1960s style. In 2022, the team brought back the original red helmets to go with their throwback uniforms.

In 2020, the Falcons changed their uniforms again. Black became the main home uniform color. The new uniforms feature "ATL" (for Atlanta) on the front. They also have red side stripes. The helmets are now matte black with a larger falcon logo.

Team Rivalries

Divisional Rivals

New Orleans Saints

The Falcons have a strong rivalry with the New Orleans Saints. They have been in the same division for a long time. This rivalry is important because both teams were the only NFL teams in the Deep South for many years. The series between the two teams is currently tied at 55–55.

Carolina Panthers

The Falcons also have a rivalry with the Carolina Panthers. Both teams were in the NFC West division before 2002. They often compete for the lead in the NFC South. This rivalry is sometimes called the "I-85 Rivalry." This is because Atlanta and Charlotte are only four hours apart on Interstate 85. The Falcons lead this series 36–22.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Falcons have a less intense rivalry with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This rivalry grew after the NFL changed its divisions in 2002. The two teams have competed for staff and players.

Conference Rivals

Philadelphia Eagles

The Philadelphia Eagles lead the series against the Falcons 21–15–1. They also lead 3–1 in playoff games. This rivalry became more intense in the 2000s. This was due to the exciting play of quarterbacks Donovan McNabb for the Eagles and Michael Vick for the Falcons.

Green Bay Packers

The Falcons also have a playoff rivalry with the Green Bay Packers. This connection started when Atlanta traded future Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre to Green Bay in 1992. The teams have met four times in the playoffs. The Packers lead the all-time series 19–16. The playoff series is tied 2–2.

Team Statistics

Single Game Records

• Most Rushing Yards: Michael Turner, 220 yards (September 7, 2008)
• Most Passing Yards: Kirk Cousins, 509 yards (October 3, 2024)
• Most Passing Touchdowns: Wade Wilson, 5 (December 13, 1992) and Matt Ryan, 5 (September 23, 2018)
• Most Receptions: William Andrews, 15 (September 15, 1981)
• Most Receiving Yards: Julio Jones, 300 yards (October 2, 2016)
• Most Sacks: Adrian Clayborn, 6 (November 13, 2017)
• Most Field Goals: Norm Johnson, 6 (November 13, 1994)

Single Season Records

• Most Passing Yards: 4,944 by Matt Ryan (2016)
• Most Passing Touchdowns: 38 by Matt Ryan (2016)
• Most Rushing Yards: 1,846 by Jamal Anderson (1998)
• Most Rushing Touchdowns: 17 by Michael Turner (2008)
• Most Receiving Catches: 136 by Julio Jones (2015)
• Most Receiving Yards: 1,871 by Julio Jones (2015)
• Most Receiving Touchdowns: 15 by Andre Rison (1993)
• Most Sacks: 16.5 by John Abraham (2008)
• Most Points: 158 by Matt Bryant (2016)

Career Records

• Most Passing Yards: 51,186 by Matt Ryan (2008–2021)
• Most Passing Touchdowns: 321 by Matt Ryan (2008–2021)
• Most Rushing Yards: 6,631 by Gerald Riggs (1982–1988)
• Most Rushing Yards by a QB: 3,859 by Michael Vick (2001–2006)
• Most Rushing Touchdowns: 60 by Michael Turner (2008–2012)
• Most Receiving Yards: 12,125 by Julio Jones (2011–2020)
• Most Receiving Touchdowns: 63 by Roddy White (2005–2015)
• Most Sacks: 68.5 by John Abraham (2006–2012)
• Most Field Goals Made: 224 by Matt Bryant (2009–2019)
• Most Points: 1,163 by Matt Bryant (2009–2019)

Players

Pro Football Hall of Famers

These players who spent time with the Falcons are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame:

Claude Humphrey is the only player in the Hall of Fame who played most of his career with the Falcons.

Ring of Honor

The Atlanta Falcons Ring of Honor celebrates important people in the team's history.

Coaching Staff

Head Coaches

Raheem Morris is the current Atlanta Falcons head coach.

The Atlanta Falcons have had 18 head coaches in their history. Five coaches have served as interim (temporary) head coaches.

Radio and Television

The Falcons' main radio station is WZGC 92.9 The Game. Wes Durham is the play-by-play announcer. Former Falcons quarterback Dave Archer is the color commentator.

The CW station WUPA is the official TV station for Falcons preseason games. During the regular season, most games are shown on Fox's local station WAGA. Games against AFC teams are on CBS station WANF. Sunday night games are on NBC station WXIA.

Map of radio affiliates.

See also

In Spanish: Atlanta Falcons para niños