A Short History of Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta Falcons is an American football teamtheir first home victory against St. Louis Cardinals.
based in Atlanta - Georgia. It is a member of NFCThey won their first ever Monday Night Football
South (National Football Conference). This teamgame in Atlanta in 1971 season. In 1978, the
joined the NFL (National Football League) in 1965.Falcons entered their first playoff series and won
The Falcons are well-known for its record ofthe Wild Card playoffs against the Eagles. Later
275-400-6 and division championship in the 1980,they lost to Dallas Cowboys in Divisional Playoffs.
1998 and 2004. They have made only oneThey again lost in the Divisional Playoffs to the
appearance in the Super Bowl in 1999.Cowboys in 1980.
After the construction of Atlanta-Fulton CountyWhen the Falcons made their way to the playoffs
Stadium, the city thought of pursuing a spot onand lost to the Minnesota Vikings, the coach
the professional football scene. The NFL wasLeeman Bennett was sacked because of the loss.
coincidentally looking to expand its fan baseIt was later in 1991 when the Atlanta Falcons
activities in the South and to also get a franchise.made it to another playoff game when they lost
On 30 June 1965, the Atlanta Falcons wereto the Washington Redskins in the Divisional
envisioned. Rankin M. Smith Sr. who was anPlayoffs. The team was nicknamed 'Dirty Bird
executive vice president of Life InsuranceFalcons'
Company of Georgia was granted ownership byThe greatest season till date for the team was in
NFL Commissioner, Pete Rozelle. The name1998, quarterback Chris Chandler and running back
Falcons was suggested by a high school teacherJamal Anderson led the team to one victory after
of Georgia, Julia Elliot in a contest held in 1965.another. The Falcons won by 40-10 over New
Tommy Nobis from the University of Texas wasEngland Patriots. They finished with 14-2 regular
drafted in the first draft and became the firstseason. On 18 Jan 1999, they defeated the
Falcon.Vikings with 30-27 at Minnesota in the NFC
The first season of the Atlanta falcons was inChampionship game. However they lost to
1966. They lost nine games and finally won theirDenver Broncos in Super Bowl XXXIII.
first game against New York Giants. They won