Atlanta Falcons
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| Atlanta Falcons | |
|---|---|
| Name | Atlanta Falcons |
| Established | 1965 |
| City | Atlanta, Georgia |
| Stadium | Mercedes-Benz Stadium |
| Owner | Arthur M. Blank |
| General manager | Terry Fontenot |
| Head coach | Raheem Morris |
| Division | NFC South |
| Conference | National Football Conference |
| Mascot | Freddie Falcon |
| Fight song | Rise Up |
| Conference titles | 2 (1998, 2016) |
| Division titles | 6 (1980, 1998, 2004, 2010, 2012, 2016) |
| Playoff appearances | 14 |
Atlanta Falcons. The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football franchise based in Atlanta, competing as a member club of the National Football Conference (NFC) South division in the National Football League (NFL). Founded in 1965 as an expansion team, the club has appeared in two Super Bowls, following the 1998 NFL season and the 2016 NFL season, though falling to the Denver Broncos and the New England Patriots respectively. The team is owned by Arthur M. Blank, co-founder of The Home Depot, and plays its home games at the state-of-the-art Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
History
The franchise was awarded to Rankin Smith in 1965, becoming the first professional NFL team in the Deep South. Early struggles were emblematic of expansion teams, but the Falcons found their first sustained success in the late 1970s under head coach Leeman Bennett, culminating in their first playoff appearance in 1978. The franchise's zenith came in the 1998 season, led by league Most Valuable Player Chris Chandler and a dominant defense, resulting in a Super Bowl XXXIII appearance. A period of rebuilding followed before the arrival of quarterback Matt Ryan and head coach Mike Smith in 2008 ushered in a new era of consistent competitiveness. This culminated in the historic 2016 season, where the Falcons, under Kyle Shanahan's offensive scheme and Matt Ryan's MVP performance, won the NFC Championship Game before suffering a heartbreaking loss in Super Bowl LI.
Stadiums
The Falcons initially played at Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium from 1966 through 1991, sharing the venue with Major League Baseball's Atlanta Braves. In 1992, the team moved into the Georgia Dome, a multi-purpose domed stadium that hosted numerous SEC Championship Games, NCAA Final Four tournaments, and Super Bowl XXVIII. Seeking a modern venue, the Falcons, in partnership with Mercedes-Benz and the city of Atlanta, opened the adjacent Mercedes-Benz Stadium in 2017. This innovative stadium, with its distinctive retractable roof, serves as the primary home for the Falcons and Major League Soccer's Atlanta United FC, and has hosted major events like the 2019 Super Bowl and the College Football Playoff National Championship.
Players and personnel
Notable players in franchise history include Pro Football Hall of Famers such as defensive back Deion Sanders, linebacker Jessie Tuggle, and tight end Tony Gonzalez. Quarterback Matt Ryan holds most major passing records for the franchise, while wide receiver Julio Jones set numerous receiving marks during his tenure. The team's ownership under Arthur M. Blank is marked by stability and community investment. Key football operations personnel have included general managers like Thomas Dimitroff and Terry Fontenot, and head coaches such as Dan Reeves, who led the team to its first Super Bowl, and Mike Smith, the winningest coach in franchise history. The current head coach is Raheem Morris.
Seasons and records
The Falcons have compiled an all-time regular season record below .500, reflective of early franchise struggles, but have secured 14 playoff berths. Their most successful regular season was the 1998 campaign, finishing 14–2. The 2016 season also yielded an 11–5 record and the NFC's top playoff seed. Individual season records are held by Matt Ryan for passing yards and touchdowns, William Andrews and Gerald Riggs for rushing, and Julio Jones for receiving. The team has retired the jersey numbers of several legends, including Steve Bartkowski (No. 10), William Andrews (No. 31), and Jessie Tuggle (No. 58).
Rivalries
The Falcons maintain their most intense and historic rivalry with the New Orleans Saints, dating back to their first meeting in 1967 and fueled by the cultural and geographic proximity of Atlanta and New Orleans; this NFC South clash is often considered one of the NFL's best rivalries. A strong division rivalry also exists with the Carolina Panthers, intensified by numerous close games and battles for the NFC South title. Historically, a notable rivalry existed with the San Francisco 49ers during the late 1990s and early 2000s, featuring memorable playoff contests. The team's two Super Bowl losses have also created a strong competitive narrative with the Denver Broncos and the New England Patriots.
Culture and community
The team's identity is encapsulated by the rallying cry "Rise Up" and its fight song of the same name, adopted in 2010. The mascot, Freddie Falcon, and the cheerleading squad, the Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders, are game-day staples. Under owner Arthur M. Blank, the organization has been deeply committed to philanthropy through the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, focusing on youth development, community building, and veterans' support. The Falcons' headquarters and training facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, also host community events. The team's uniform history has evolved from classic red and black to modern designs featuring gradient patterns and "ATL" wordmarks, reflecting the city's identity.
Category:Atlanta Falcons Category:National Football League teams Category:Sports in Atlanta Category:Companies based in Atlanta Category:1965 establishments in Georgia (U.S. state)