Flashback photos: The Atlanta Falcons in the 1970s

Things to Do

Flashback photos: The Atlanta Falcons in the 1970s

During the 1970s, the still young Falcons franchise struggled, but finally qualified for the playoffs in 1978, beginning a brief upswing in their fortunes.

Coach Jerry Glanville during a Falcons practice with his defensive backs, August 1979. Calvin Cruce/AJC file

Former Falcon Harmon Wages as a television sportscaster in the late 70s. Legal troubles would later derail his broadcasting career. Read Lewis Grizzard's story linked below, written after Wages' release from short prison sentence. Bud Skinner/AJC file

Quarterback Bob Lee receives trophy as most valuable Falcon in 1973. Charles Pugh Jr./AJC file

Second-year center Jeff Van Note, watching the Atlanta Falcons practice from the sidelines following a foot injury, in July 1971. Marion Crowe/AJC file

Atlanta Falcons linebacker Tommy Nobis in October 1972. Bill Grimes/AJC file

Atlanta Falcons' quarterback Steve Bartkowski, 1976. Bud Skinner/AJC file

Atlanta Falcons' coach Van Brocklin and quarterback Pat Sullivan (the 1971 Heisman Trophy winner from Auburn) during a game, sometime between 1972 and 1975 (Sullivan's tenure with the Falcons). AJC file

Atlanta Falcons' Bob Lee escaping the rush, August 1974. Charles Jackson/AJC file

Falcons coach Leeman Bennett talks with quarterbacks June Jones and Steve Bartkowski, sometime in the late 1970s. Steve Deal/AJC file

Atlanta Falcons linebacker Tommy Nobis practicing on the field, July 1974. Charles Jackson/AJC file

Falcons' kicker Nick Mike-Mayer with teammate Jon Antonisse in July 1973. Bud Skinner/AJC file

Newly retired Falcons' linebacker Tommy Nobis signing autographs, July 1977. Steve Deal/AJC file

Atlanta Falcons' Tommy Nobis and other players recording a Christmas carol in September 1970. Marion Crowe/AJC file

Falcons' Steve Bartkowski dodges New Orleans Saints' pass rush, October 1975. Charles Pugh Jr./AJC file

Falcons' Wallace Francis accepts MVP trophy for the season, December 1979. Louie Favorite/AJC file

Falcons quarterback Randy Johnson demonstrates how it's done to young football students as an instructor at the Johnny Unitas Football Camp at Oglethorpe in June 1970. Marion Crowe/AJC file

Atlanta Falcons' Harmon Wages in 1973. AJC file

Atlanta Falcons' Claude Humphrey in October 1972. Bill Grimes/AJC file

Falcon's defensive end Claude Humphrey signs autographs in July 1976. Bud Skinner/AJC file

Falcons' coach Norm Van Brocklin with quarterback Bob Lee, October 1973. Bill Mahan/AJC file

Claude Humphrey (right) of the Atlanta Falcons announces his retirement, September 1978, with team owner Rankin Smith (left) and head coach Leeman Bennett. Hugh Stovall/AJC file

Falcons' Ken Burrow, John Zook and Claude Humphrey during a game against the Oakland Raiders, December 1971. Charles Pugh Jr./AJC file

Falcons' Wallace Francis catches a 37 yard pass from QB Steve Bartkowski to win playoff game against Philadelphia Eagles, December 1978. George Clark/AJC file

1/23

Coach Jerry Glanville during a Falcons practice with his defensive backs, August 1979. Calvin Cruce/AJC file

Today's Gallery Headlines

Allyson Phillips (center), Laken Riley’s mother, prays at UGA’s Tate Plaza on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, during a memorial service for her daughter. Riley was attacked on Feb. 22, 2024 while running in Oconee Forest Park on the UGA campus and killed. (C.J. Bartunek for the AJC)

PHOTOS: Hundreds honor Laken Riley with 5K, memorial on UGA campus

Region 5AA Championship : Holy Innocents vs. KIPP Atlanta

PHOTOS: Holy Innocents’ wins Region 5AA championship in basketball

aajc 021926 state vs. georgia southern hoops

PHOTOS: Georgia State gets by Georgia Southern

Trump visits North Georgia today but has eyes on Atlanta

PHOTOS: Trump visits Georgia, revisits 2020 election

More Galleries

the weeknd

PHOTOS: The Weeknd electrifies the crowd at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz stadium

PHOTOS: Beyonce fans saddle up for 4-day Atlanta Cowboy Carter Tour stop

PHOTOS: Beyoncé fans arrive for 4-night Atlanta Cowboy Carter Tour stop

College Park Juneteenth Parade standalone photo

PHOTOS: Juneteenth Parade held in College Park

4th Annual Rick Ross Car Show

PHOTOS: Rapper Rick Ross holds 4th annual car show in Fayetteville