Atlanta Falcons “Back in Black” on Sunday vs. San Francisco 49ers

The Atlanta Falcons took to their social media accounts to announce special uniforms for this Sunday. Yes, the birds will be “back in black” vs. the 49ers.

Cue AC/DC as the Atlanta Falcons don the black helmets and black jerseys that throwback to the 1990s. Okay, it’s technically a 1966 tribute, but me personally…I see “Dirty Birds” without silver pants.

Let me have my fun with this.

…the Falcons’ black threads bring back fond memories of “Prime Time” Deion Sanders.

For some, the Falcons’ black threads bring back fond memories of “Prime Time” Deion Sanders. To other fans, seeing the classic falcon logo is a throwback to the earliest years of Michael Vick’s career. Vick actually completed his first NFL pass in the black helmet and black jersey. That just so happened against the San Francisco 49ers on September 9, 2001.

Coincidence?

Many see the old school, black uniform combination and think back to 1998. The 1998 Atlanta Falcons finished the regular season 14-2 and capped off the playoffs with arguably the greatest moment in franchise history. To be fair, the team was wearing white when Morton Anderson kicked his famed 38-yard field goal, but how about the week prior?

Those same “Dirty Birds” wore black at home when they knocked the San Francisco 49ers out of the division playoff round, 20-18.

Atlanta opted to update their logo and uniforms in 2003, just as the Michael Vick era was in full swing. It’s a look the Falcons still wear to this day. Actually, some may remember the team sporting black versions of the current jerseys at home, through 2004. Then-executive VP of marketing/sales, Dick Sullivan, described the 2005 switch to red home jerseys as a decision: “…driven in part by fans, coaches, players… Everybody seems to love them.”

“Back to black” was a motto for Glanville’s Falcons…

The Falcons originally wore black jerseys from their inaugural season in 1966 to 1970. After wearing red at home from 1971-1989, Jerry Glanville orchestrated the switch back to black. “Back to black” was a motto for Glanville’s Falcons; who felt it represented their aggressive, multi-blitz approach to defense.

Current NFL policy prevents teams from wearing alternate helmets, thus the Falcons are limited to changing decals. The first go-around with their sorta-1966 threads  wasn’t great as Atlanta lost to the San Diego Chargers on October 23rd. Lose to the 49ers on Sunday and we may never see the uniform again.

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