The 2020 Atlanta Falcons draft hat has been leaked by an unofficial source and if the leaks are true, this New Era hat is hands-down the worst piece of fan items ever created.
Whomever the Atlanta Falcons choose to draft in 2020 with their first pick of the draft could be forced to wear something that says “HOTLANTA” on the front over the Falcons symbol. We can only hope that those lucky players will learn very quickly that people in Atlanta do not and will not use that terrible phrase.
New Era has been the official provider of NFL hats since 2012 and over the last eight years has come up with some great designs, but this one is hands down the worst. It almost seems like New Era decided to design the draft hats in an attempt to upset each NFL fan base. To say this is bizarre would be an understatement.
Here is a flashback to the previous hats designed by New Era for those selected by the Atlanta Falcons since 2012.
2012
The 2012 version of the Falcons draft hat was actually a great design. Simple and clean design. New Era played it safe and created a great hat that fans of all ages could proudly wear.
I want, so badly, this @Atlanta_Falcons 2012 Draft hat. Can't wait to be a not-poor grad student! pic.twitter.com/icxmZj2D
— Meg (@MegAnne) June 19, 2012
2013
The 2013 draft hat was a little bolder than the 2012 version but was one of the best designs that New Era had created.
The Falcons official 2013 fitted draft hat is here! Get yours from @FalconsGear: http://t.co/iHrQSWYtap #RiseUp pic.twitter.com/3zkkkd0Hk7
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) April 1, 2013
2014
The 2014 design was the best of the collection. The colors and Atlanta Falcons insignia was the best that they have created. Every hat should just be a replica of this hat.
2014 Atlanta Falcons Draft hats are here! Get yours: http://t.co/jqyk3JuIp1 #RiseUp pic.twitter.com/cjKWoBX3UP
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) May 1, 2014
2015
Great move by New Era to add the city skyline to the brim of the hat adding a depth piece to the draft hat that was worn by Georgia native Vic Beasley as he was drafted eighth overall.
Get the official 2015 Atlanta Falcons Draft hat: http://t.co/jqyk3Juazt #RiseUp pic.twitter.com/vvZiZWDZ1f
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) April 21, 2015
2016
The 2016 draft hat worn by Keanu Neal was a great mixture of the 2014 and 2015 hat designs. Classic Atlanta look and they did not take any risks.
Wear it before our first-round pick.
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) April 20, 2016
Get your 2016 NFL Draft hat: https://t.co/OPY0ouPwLx #RiseUp pic.twitter.com/YXPrIJvG6G
2017
The white hat worn by Takk McKinley was not a good look for the Atlanta Falcons. New Era did the Falcons a disservice with this draft hat.
Falcons Flashback: Watch how Takk McKinley performed at the 2017 NFL Combine https://t.co/7Kx3mJkT31 pic.twitter.com/U8z2KQ4UXw
— AJC Sports (@AJCsports) February 27, 2018
2018
There is nothing wrong with the 2018 Atlanta Falcons draft hat for the Atlanta Falcons. ‘Rise Up” has been a Falcons motto for more than a decade. The biggest problem with this hat is what they did not do.
Since Dan Quinn’s arrival, he has breached about the “brotherhood“, well, New Era put that motto on the Cardinals hat in 2018.
2019
There is nothing wrong with this hat choice other than it was not as clean as draft hat designs of the past. More is not always better and that is true with hats.
Atlanta Falcons New Era 2019 NFL Draft On-Stage Official 59FIFTY Fitted Hat – Red, Your Price: $37.99 https://t.co/y9dvckhHrh pic.twitter.com/jrEtju1Vuj
— Major League Hats - NFL (@FootballCapHats) May 17, 2019
2020
Let’s remind everyone that these are not official – yet. The Falcons announced that they are changing uniforms, but no one knows if that includes the team logo, so keep that in mind. Going with the “HOTLANTA” is the worst idea yet by New Era, if it is true.
Again, this is simply speculation that has run rampant over the last 12 hours on twitter. If proven to be true, New Era will have some explaining to do.