Atlanta Falcons greatest years are under the guidance of Thomas Dimitroff

1966-1969

• Head coaches:                                                 2
• Starting quarterbacks:                                   6
• Wins:                                                                  12
• Losses:                                                               43
• Division Titles:                                                  0
• Playoff appearances:                                     0
• Playoff wins:                                                     0
• Double-digit win seasons:                            0
• NFC title game appearances:                       0
• Super Bowl appearances:                             0

In June 1965, the NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle approved original Falcons owner Rankin Smith Jr for a franchise in Atlanta. By August of 1965, the team was named after a schoolteacher submitted the name “Falcons” because “the Falcon is proud and dignified, with great courage and fight. It never drops its prey. It is deadly and has a great sporting tradition.” The team would originally play at Fulton County stadium, where they would stay until the end of the 1991 NFL season.

No one is looking for success from brand new franchises in any sport. Typically, the newness of the franchise is enough to bring in fans for the first several years. Recently, Atlanta United has been able to break that mold by bringing an MLS title to Atlanta, but that is rare in any sport and certainly did not happen in the 60’s with this franchise.

The lack of success is certainly not a surprise nor was it expected; however, not many would have thought this would be a summation of the franchise for decades to come.