The Falcons have one of the richest histories in the NFL. From ownership, to players, to coaching, Atlanta has seen some serious talent walk through the door, and a plethora of highs and lows to go with them. Let’s quiz ourselves on a little Falcons trivia.
Compared to the likes of the NFL’s oldest teams like the Arizona Cardinals, Chicago Bears, and Green Bay Packers, the Atlanta Falcons are relatively one of the mid to younger teams in the league.
Coming in at #23 on the NFL’s oldest to youngest list, Atlanta has a rich history throughout their years of major league football, and no matter how many times we’re put through the ringer, still have one of the most dedicated fanbases in the league. Because of this, I thought it would be fun to test our Falcons fan knowledge and do some offseason trivia while we wait for some big moves (or no moves at all) from the Falcons front office in free agency.
We’re about to separate the Falcons fans who were paying attention in history class from those who were barely getting by. Our first trivia of the offseason will have ten questions, and each question will be worth ten points, with a few bonus points thrown in here and there. Let’s see if you have what it takes to be crowned a true Dirty Bird. I’ll include the answer key at the bottom of the article, and because I can’t take your phones while you answer, we’ll have to use the honor system. I’m trusting you!
1. What year were the Falcons introduced as an expansion team in the NFL?
We’ll start SUPER simple here. This is basically the free space on the bingo card. If you don’t get this one correct, it might be time to look for a different team to root for.
2. The Falcons have used three different stadiums since their NFL inception. What was the name of the very first stadium the Falcons used? (Bonus points if you can name what the stadium was called for its first 10 years of operation.)
This stadium was demolished in 1997, and being born in the early 2000’s, I missed out on a piece of Falcons history with this one. Seeing those vintage videos of Steve Bartkowski throwing deep balls in those throwback bright red jerseys in this stadium makes me envious of those who got to attend Falcons games in the late 20th century.
3. In their inaugural season, Atlanta was awarded the first pick in all 20 rounds of the draft that year. Who was the very first player selected as an Atlanta Falcon?
This player would go on to become an Atlanta Falcons legend, winning rookie of the year, and being selected to five pro bowls.
4. Before owner Arthur Blank purchased the team in 2002 for a reported $545 million, the team was owned by Rankin Smith and his family, with Smith handling day to day operations until 1989 before handing majority control over to his son Taylor. When Rankin Smith founded the team, what was the reason the NFL offered him a franchise in the league?
5. The Falcons currently sit as a member of the NFC South, but the South wasn’t always their division. What was the division that Atlanta was part of before they joined the NFC South. (Bonus points if you name what led to the division change.)
6. Two players are tied for the Falcons record for the most touchdowns in a single game. Which two players are they? (Bonus points if you know how many touchdowns the record is.)
7. NFL great Dan Reeves became head coach of the Falcons in 1997, and led us to two playoff appearances and a Super Bowl berth. Before Reeves got here, how many playoff appearances did Atlanta have?
8. The colloquial nickname for the Falcons is ‘The Dirty Birds’. It’s been a name that Falcons fans have used for decades. How did the name get its popularity?
9. Staying on the topic of nicknames, the Falcons defense had a nickname in 1977. What was the name?
This defense was one of the best not in just Falcons history, but NFL history. They allowed just 129 points a game, which would be the best ever for a 14-game regular season.
10. The year before Atlanta began playing their first season, they earned their team name of ‘Falcons’. How did they get their name?
Alright, time to check how you did! Since we’re using the honor system, you’ll check your own papers. For every right answer you get 10 points to your score, and every bonus section you get 5 bonus points. Let’s see how many you got right!
1. What year were the Falcons introduced as an expansion team in the NFL?
1966. All I know is, you better have gotten this one right lol.
2. The Falcons have used three different stadiums since their NFL inception. What was the name of the very first stadium the Falcons used? (Bonus points if you can name what the stadium was called for it’s first ten years of operation.)
Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium. This was the name of the stadium from 1975 to its demolition in 1997.
Bonus: Atlanta Stadium was the first name of the stadium from 1965-1975. It was changed after 1975 because Fulton County threatened to withdraw financial support.
3. In their inaugural season, Atlanta was awarded the first pick in all twenty rounds of the draft that year. Who was the very first player selected as an Atlanta Falcon?
Linebacker Tommy Nobis was Atlanta’s first ever pick, making him the first ever Falcon. He was inducted into the Falcons ring of honor in 2004.
4. Before owner Arthur Blank purchased the team in 2002 for a reported $545 million, the team was owned by Rankin Smith and his family, with Smith handling day to day operations until 1989 before handing majority control over to his son Taylor. When Rankin Smith founded the team, what was the reason the NFL offered him a franchise in the league?
The NFL offered Smith a franchise because they didn’t want Atlanta joining the rival American Football League (the league that later became the AFC.) With heightened competition for the NFL, and reports of the AFL wanting to expand to Atlanta, then league commissioner Pete Rozelle flew down to Atlanta to block the AFL’s claim on the city, and by late June, Atlanta picked Smith and the NFL to bring a professional football team to the city.
5. The Falcons currently sit as a member of the NFC South, but the South wasn’t always their division. What was the division that Atlanta was part of before they joined the NFC South. (Bonus points if you name what led to the division change.)
The Falcons are former members of NFC West (kind of crazy when you think about how east in the country we are.) 2002 was the first year when we made the switch to the NFC South.
Bonus: We switched to the South due to the Houston Texans becoming the 32nd team, causing a major division realignment across the league, creating four divisions in each conference that better suited geographic location.
6. Two players are tied for the Falcons record for the most touchdowns in a single game. Which two players are they? (Bonus points if you know how many touchdowns the record is.)
The two players who are tied for most touchdowns in a single game are T.J. Duckett and Michael Turner. Duckett broke the record in 2004 and Turner tied it in 2008.
Bonus: The two players scored four touchdowns in one game.
7. NFL great Dan Reeves became head coach of the Falcons in 1997, and led us to two playoff appearances and a Super Bowl berth. Before Reeves got here, how many playoff appearances did Atlanta have?
Atlanta had only five playoff appearances in their then 30 year playoff history.
8. The colloquial nickname for the Falcons is ‘The Dirty Birds’. It’s been a name that Falcons fans have used for decades. How did the name get its popularity?
In 1998 during the Falcons incredible Super Bowl run, O.J. Santiago did a funky dance with bird sound effects during one of his two touchdowns in their Week 10 blowout of the New England Patriots, then subsequently entered the locker room and said “How about them Dirty Birds?”
The dance and name gained traction when running back Jamal Anderson started to do a similar, more choreographed dance in the endzone after his touchdowns. The dance, and name, became known as the “Dirty Bird.”
9. Staying on the topic of nicknames, the Falcons defense had a nickname in 1977. What was the name?
The Grits Blitz. The 1977 Falcons offense struggled mightily, but their defense was by far the best in the league, and it’s a shame how it didn’t translate into a playoff appearance.
10. The year before Atlanta began playing their first season, they earned their team name of ‘Falcons’. How did they get their name?
The team was named Falcons on August 29th, 1965, and while many people suggested Falcons as the name, a school teacher from Griffin, Georgia by the name of Julia Elliot stood out as she wrote a reason as to why the bird should represent Atlanta.
She wrote: “The Falcon is proud and dignified, with great courage and fight. It never drops its prey. It is deadly and has a great sporting tradition.”
Comment below how you did, and if you like the trivia, we’ll make it a weekly series!