Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1966, marking a significant moment for professional sports in the Southeast. Rankin Smith Sr. secured the franchise rights for $8.5 million after winning a fan contest that selected "Falcons" as the team name, with Julia Elliott of Griffin, Georgia, submitting the winning suggestion. The early years proved difficult, as the team posted losing records in each of its first seven seasons before Norm Van Brocklin guided them to their first winning campaign in 1973.

Arthur Blank purchased the franchise in 2002 and has since overseen operations from his home base in Atlanta. The team moved into Mercedes-Benz Stadium in 2017, sharing the downtown venue with Atlanta United FC. This retractable-roof facility replaced the Georgia Dome, which had served as the team's home since 1992. The stadium capacity stands at approximately 71,000 and has hosted major events including Super Bowl LIII. [edit]

Leeman Bennett took over as head coach in 1977 and led the franchise to its first playoff victory in 1978 against the Philadelphia Eagles. The team won its first division title in 1980 but struggled to maintain consistency through the 1980s. Dan Reeves arrived in 1997 and orchestrated a dramatic turnaround that culminated in a 14-2 record during the 1998 season. Chris Chandler threw for 3,764 yards while Jamal Anderson rushed for 1,730 yards as the squad reached Super Bowl XXXIII, where they lost 34-19 to the Denver Broncos.

Michael Vick emerged as the starting quarterback in 2001 and brought a new level of excitement to the offense with his running ability. He led the team to the NFC Championship game in 2004 before departing for the New York Jets. Matt Ryan entered the league in 2008 and quickly became the face of the franchise, earning NFL MVP honors in 2016. That same year under head coach Dan Quinn, the team posted a 11-5 record and advanced to Super Bowl LI. They held a 28-3 lead over the New England Patriots entering the fourth quarter but ultimately lost 34-28 in overtime after a historic comeback by the Patriots.

A playoff drought followed the 2016 season, extending through 2023. Raheem Morris was hired as head coach in 2024 to restart the program. The organization has captured six division titles in total: 1980, 1998, 2004, 2010, 2012, and 2016. Their overall playoff record stands at 7 wins and 13 losses. The team remains one of the oldest major professional sports franchises without a Super Bowl championship. [edit]