The Falcons Take Flight: How a City Got Its Feathered Friends
Ah, Atlanta. The ATL. Home of delicious peach tea, sweet tea if you're nasty, and of course, the Atlanta Falcons! But have you ever wondered, how exactly did these feathered fighters land in the heart of Georgia? Buckle up, because this origin story is more exciting than a Michael Vick highlight reel (minus the whole, y'know, legal stuff).
From Expansion Dreams to Winging it in the NFL
QuickTip: Scroll back if you lose track.
Back in 1965, Atlanta was a city yearning for pigskin glory. They craved Sundays filled with touchdowns, not just church potlucks (although those are pretty glorious too). Enter Rankin Smith, a man with a dream as big as a linebacker's shoulder pads. Smith, a successful businessman, convinced the NFL to grant Atlanta a franchise. This was a big deal! It was like winning the lottery, except instead of millions of dollars, you got a whole lotta football.
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The Name Game: Falcons Soar Above the Competition (Literally, There Was a Contest)
Tip: Focus on one point at a time.
Now, a team needs a name, and Atlanta wasn't about to settle for the Atlanta...Peach Pickers? Yawn. Thankfully, they held a name-the-team contest, which sounds more exciting than it probably was. In a turn of events that surprised no one who's ever seen a falcon dive-bomb a pigeon, "Falcons" took flight! We have to give a shoutout to Julia Elliott, the school teacher whose suggestion soared above the rest. Take that, Mr. Fluffy Bunnies!
Tip: Keep your attention on the main thread.
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Building a Team: From Expansion Dudes to Soaring Stars
With a name and a dream, the Falcons were ready to take on the NFL. Well, almost. They did this thing called an "expansion draft" where they basically got to rummage through the bargain bin of other teams' rosters. It wasn't the most glamorous start, but hey, you gotta crawl before you can fly...like a falcon!
Over the years, the Falcons have had their fair share of ups and downs (mostly downs, some folks might say, but those folks are probably Saints fans). They've had legendary players like Mike Ditka and Deion Sanders, and heart-stopping moments like that time they almost...well, maybe we shouldn't talk about that.
How to FAQs: Your Guide to Atlanta Falconry (Minus the Falcons)
- How to watch the Atlanta Falcons? Tune into your TV on Sundays and pray they're playing a team with a weaker defense.
- How to become an Atlanta Falcons fan? It takes dedication, a high tolerance for heartbreak, and a strong supply of red wine (or your beverage of choice).
- How to get Falcons tickets? Hope you have deep pockets, because those things can cost more than a fancy falcon.
- How to throw a football like a Falcon? Practice, practice, practice! Just don't throw any interceptions in your living room, or you might end up like a certain wide receiver we all know and love.
- How to avoid being mistaken for a Saints fan? Easy! Just wear anything red.
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