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Atlanta Falcons Franchise History Trivia

Test your knowledge of Falcons Franchise History, from the early days at Fulton County Stadium to the modern Dynasty-chasing era of the League MVP.

1. In what year did the Atlanta Falcons begin play as an NFL expansion team?

• A) 1960
• B) 1966
• C) 1970
• D) 1958

Correct Answer: B) 1966

The Story Behind the Stat: The Falcons were the 15th NFL franchise. They played their first game on September 11, 1966, against the Los Angeles Rams.

2. Who was the first-ever draft pick in Falcons franchise history, often referred to as "Mr. Falcon"?

• A) Steve Bartkowski
• B) Claude Humphrey
• C) Tommy Nobis
• D) Deion Sanders

Correct Answer: C) Tommy Nobis

The Story Behind the Stat: Nobis was the #1 overall pick in 1966. He won Rookie of the Year and made five Pro Bowls, becoming the first player to have his number (60) retired by the team.

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3. The 1977 Falcons defense set an NFL record for the fewest points allowed in a 14-game season. What was their nickname?

• A) The Red Menace
• B) The Dirty Birds
• C) The Gritz Blitz
• D) The Iron Wall

Correct Answer: C) The Gritz Blitz

The Story Behind the Stat: This legendary unit allowed only 129 points all season (9.2 per game), a record that still stands for a 14-game schedule.

4. Which Falcons player is the only person in franchise history to win the NFL League MVP award?

• A) Michael Vick
• B) Julio Jones
• C) Matt Ryan
• D) Jamal Anderson

Correct Answer: C) Matt Ryan

The Story Behind the Stat: "Matty Ice" won the MVP in 2016 after throwing for 4,944 yards and 38 touchdowns with a 117.1 passer rating.

5. During the 1998 "Dirty Bird" Super Bowl run, which running back set a franchise record with 1,846 rushing yards?

• A) Gerald Riggs
• B) Michael Turner
• C) Warrick Dunn
• D) Jamal Anderson

Correct Answer: D) Jamal Anderson

The Story Behind the Stat: Anderson was the engine of the 1998 team, carrying the ball a staggering 410 times and popularizing the "Dirty Bird" touchdown dance.

6. Who holds the Falcons franchise record for the most career receiving yards?

• A) Roddy White
• B) Terance Mathis
• C) Julio Jones
• D) Andre Rison

Correct Answer: C) Julio Jones

The Story Behind the Stat: Jones amassed 12,896 receiving yards in 135 games for Atlanta, surpassing Roddy White's previous record.

7. In 2001, the Falcons made a blockbuster trade with which team to acquire the #1 overall pick and draft Michael Vick?

• A) San Diego Chargers
• B) Houston Texans
• C) Cleveland Browns
• D) Arizona Cardinals

Correct Answer: A) San Diego Chargers

The Story Behind the Stat: The Falcons traded their 5th overall pick, a 3rd rounder, and WR Tim Dwight to move up and select the electrifying Vick.

8. Which legendary kicker spent 13 seasons in Atlanta and is the second-leading scorer in NFL history?

• A) Matt Bryant
• B) Morten Andersen
• C) Gary Anderson
• D) Younghoe Koo

Correct Answer: B) Morten Andersen

The Story Behind the Stat: "The Great Dane" kicked the game-winning field goal in the 1998 NFC Championship game to send Atlanta to their first Super Bowl.

9. Who was the head coach that led the Falcons to their first Super Bowl appearance (Super Bowl XXXIII)?

• A) Jerry Glanville
• B) Dan Quinn
• C) Mike Smith
• D) Dan Reeves

Correct Answer: D) Dan Reeves

The Story Behind the Stat: Reeves led the 1998 "Dirty Birds" to a 14-2 regular season record and an upset win over the 15-1 Vikings in the playoffs.

10. Before moving to Mercedes-Benz Stadium, where did the Falcons play their home games from 1992 to 2016?

• A) Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium
• B) The Georgia Dome
• C) Bobby Dodd Stadium
• D) Grant Field

Correct Answer: B) The Georgia Dome

The Story Behind the Stat: The Georgia Dome hosted two Super Bowls and was the site of the Falcons' 2016 NFC Championship victory.

11. Which Hall of Fame cornerback and return specialist was drafted 5th overall by Atlanta in 1989?

• A) Deion Sanders
• B) Champ Bailey
• C) Darrelle Revis
• D) Rod Woodson

Correct Answer: A) Deion Sanders

The Story Behind the Stat: "Prime Time" spent his first five seasons in Atlanta, becoming a cultural icon while simultaneously playing for the Atlanta Braves.

12. Who is the Falcons' all-time leader in career rushing yards?

• A) Michael Turner
• B) Gerald Riggs
• C) Warrick Dunn
• D) Devonta Freeman

Correct Answer: B) Gerald Riggs

The Story Behind the Stat: Riggs played for the Falcons from 1982-1988, totaling 6,631 rushing yards.

13. In 2016, the Falcons' high-powered offense was led by which Offensive Coordinator, who later became a head coach for the 49ers?

• A) Raheem Morris
• B) Arthur Smith
• C) Kyle Shanahan
• D) Steve Sarkisian

Correct Answer: C) Kyle Shanahan

The Story Behind the Stat: Shanahan’s "outside zone" scheme helped the Falcons score 540 points, tied for the 8th most in NFL history at the time.

14. Against which team did the Falcons record their first-ever playoff victory in 1978?

• A) Dallas Cowboys
• B) Philadelphia Eagles
• C) Minnesota Vikings
• D) Los Angeles Rams

Correct Answer: B) Philadelphia Eagles

The Story Behind the Stat: The Falcons won 14-13 in the Wild Card round after scoring two touchdowns in the final five minutes.

15. Which Falcons tight end is widely considered the greatest to ever play the position and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2019?

• A) Alge Crumpler
• B) Kyle Pitts
• C) Austin Hooper
• D) Tony Gonzalez

Correct Answer: D) Tony Gonzalez

The Story Behind the Stat: Gonzalez spent his final five seasons (2009-2013) in Atlanta, making the Pro Bowl in four of those years.

16. Which quarterback, drafted #1 overall in 1975, led the Falcons to their first playoff appearance?

• A) Steve Bartkowski
• B) Chris Miller
• C) Bobby Hebert
• D) Jeff George

Correct Answer: A) Steve Bartkowski

The Story Behind the Stat: Bartkowski was a two-time Pro Bowler and held most franchise passing records until the Matt Ryan era.

17. Who currently owns the Atlanta Falcons, having purchased the team in 2002?

• A) Rankin Smith
• B) Arthur Blank
• C) Robert Kraft
• D) Jerry Jones

Correct Answer: B) Arthur Blank

The Story Behind the Stat: The co-founder of Home Depot, Blank is known for his visible presence on the sidelines during games.

18. What was the original color scheme of the Falcons, chosen to represent the rivalry between Georgia and Georgia Tech?

• A) Red, Black, and Gold
• B) Red, White, and Blue
• C) Black and Silver
• D) Red and Silver

Correct Answer: A) Red, Black, and Gold

The Story Behind the Stat: The Red and Black represented the UGA Bulldogs, while the Gold stripe on the helmet represented the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.

19. In the 2012 playoffs, Matt Ryan earned his first postseason win by defeating which team in a divisional thriller?

• A) Seattle Seahawks
• B) Green Bay Packers
• C) New Orleans Saints
• D) Carolina Panthers

Correct Answer: A) Seattle Seahawks

The Story Behind the Stat: The Falcons won 30-28 after Matt Bryant kicked a 49-yard field goal with 8 seconds remaining.

20. Which Falcons defensive end holds the franchise record for most career sacks?

• A) John Abraham
• B) Claude Humphrey
• C) Patrick Kerney
• D) Vic Beasley

Correct Answer: B) Claude Humphrey

The Story Behind the Stat: Humphrey recorded 94.5 sacks with the Falcons (though sacks weren't an official stat until 1982, his totals were later verified).