The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is counting down the Top 50 players in Atlanta Falcons history during the franchise’s 50th anniversary season. No. 29 linebacker is Greg Brezina.
Years played for Falcons: The Falcons selected Greg Brezina out of Houston in the 11th round of the 1968 NFL Draft. The 275th overall pick played 11 seasons with Atlanta and appeared in 151 games. He and his five brothers all played football at the University of Houston, an NCAA Division I Record.
Jersey No.: 50
His impact on the team: Brezina became a familiar face in the 1970's for Falcon fans. His steady play finally paid off as Atlanta made the playoffs for the first time in 1978. He was a 1969 Pro Bowl selection after recording five fumble recoveries. He was a member of the 1977 "Gritz Blitz" defense, which gave up the fewest points (129) in NFL history for a 14-game schedule. The Falcons had given up 312 points the previous season. Over his career Brezina finished with 12 interceptions and 14 fumble recoveries from his linebacker position. A neck injury forced him to cut his career short in order to not sustain life-long damage.
On the Gritz Blitz: "We played together as a team that year. That was one of the highlights of my career, just being a member of that team. We played together in unison. It was like a harmony. It was like Three Musketeers, 'all for one and one for all.' "
On what the highlight of his career (getting married) was: "The chapel service out in L.A., that would be the number one highlight of my career [Brezina and his wife almost divorced in '71 before Greg went to chapel service with teammate Don Hansen and found God, thus saving his marriage].
On his retirement: "It was a great career. I injured my neck in my 12th year so the orthopedic doctor told me to retire and my neck would get better."
Where he is now: Brezina is 69 and is still deeply rooted in his faith. He and his wife, Connie, founded Christian Families Today, a Christian counseling and training ministry located in Newnan, Ga. They have been involved in Christian ministry for 35 years.
50: Chuck Smith
49: Michael Haynes
47: John Zook
46: Ken Reaves
45: Lynn Cain
44: Justin Blalock
43: Bobby Butler
42: Tim Mazzetti
41: Buddy Curry
40: Scott Case
39: Jeff Merrow
38: Elbert Shelley
37: Matt Bryant
36: Alge Crumpler
35: Michael Turner
34: Ray Buchanan
33: Chris Hinton
32: Terance Mathis
31: Devin Hester
30: Don Smith
29: Greg Brezina
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