Flowery Branch — Assistant head coach Emmitt Thomas returned to Falcons practice Tuesday after spending the previous five days in Canton, Ohio, where he was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

"It's hard to tell people the feelings, the warmth, the rush, the emotion that you get from it," Thomas said. "Like I told the players today, even if you don't get blessed and get the opportunity to be inducted, you should go to one of those ceremonies. It's outstanding. To me the crowning blow was the parade. I know we had to give the speeches but it was the one that kind of got me."

Thomas, a cornerback for the Kansas City Chiefs from 1966-1978, was voted into the Hall last spring. He has worked primarily as a defensive backs coach with the Falcons since 2002. Though he was honored by the experience in Canton, Thomas said he is glad to be back at work.

"I'm looking forward to this," Thomas said. "At least I won't have to talk to the press all the time. This is what I do best. I still respect the game. I still like coaching it. Besides playing it's the next best seat to have."

The Falcons plan to honor Thomas at some point during the regular season. No date has formally been announced.