Falcons assistant head coach Emmitt Thomas spent part of his Memorial Day weekend in Dallas preparing to be bronzed.

Thomas, who will be inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Aug. 2, sat for six hours so sculptor Scott Meyers could construct the bust of his likeness that will be placed in the hallowed Hall in Canton. The bust will be completed and bronzed in about two weeks, Thomas said.

The former Kansas City Chiefs defensive back (1966-78) said the bust would take some elements of how he looks now and some of how he looked when he played. Meyer combined Thomas's actual likeness with those of pictures taken of Thomas as a player.

"The only thing I asked is that he give me a mustache and that I have hair," the balding Thomas said Thursday. "Our coach, Hank Stram, wouldn't let us wear mustaches, but I wear one and I wanted that on there."

Thomas's son Derek, who recently resigned as men's basketball coach at Western Illinois, will introduce Thomas at the Hall of Fame induction. Derek once served as a scout for the Hawks.

Thomas said that he would miss four days of the Falcons' training camp, which is scheduled to begin in late July.

"I wish all this was taking place tomorrow," Thomas said. "I really would like to get it done and I could go to work. I don't want it to be a distraction for what we are trying to do here. Still, it's a great honor."

Georgia Dome open house

The Falcons are holding a "select-a-seat," open house at the Georgia Dome on Saturday for potential season-ticket customers. Players, cheerleaders, coaches and other team officials will be in attendance.

Those attending the noon-2 p.m. event can choose and purchase seats on the spot.