Athletes Who Captured Atlanta

Atlanta Braves

Athletes Who Captured Atlanta

Braves outfielder Jeff Francoeur's swift rise to fame has hit a road block, But the hometown hero is not the only athlete to lose his grip on Atlanta.

Jeff Francoeur's swift rise to Atlanta fame has hit a road block.

Mired in a season-long slump, Francoeur was sent to the minors by the Braves in early July. But the hometown hero is certainly not the first superstar athlete to capture the city before falling from grace.

It was Prime Time's town in the early 1990s. Deion Sanders electrified the Georgia Dome, calling it "his house," during his five-year career with Falcons. He felt equally at home at Fulton County Stadium, helping the Braves reach the 1992 World Series and introducing the "Tomahawk Chop" to fans during his four-year stint with the team. He left Atlanta in 1995, signing with the San Francisco 49ers and the Cincinnati Reds the same year.

Steve Bartkowski, the top overall pick by the Falcons in the 1975 NFL Draft, captured the city by leading the beleaguered franchise to its first playoff berth in 1978. Injuries took hold in mid-80s, and the Falcons waived Bartkowski on Nov. 12, 1985.

No Atlanta athlete has ever had a harder fall from grace than Michael Vick. The dynamic quarterback electrified the city by leading the Falcons to the 2004 NFC Championship Game. Four years later, he is serving a 23-month sentence after being convicted on felony dog fighting charges.

Dale Murphy was one of the most popular Braves ever. He was a seven-time all-star and won consecutive MVP's during his 14-year career in Atlanta. He was traded to Philadelphia on Aug. 3, 1990 and ended his major league career with Colorado.

David Justice replaced Dale Murphy in right field for the Braves in 1990. Two days after criticizing Braves fans for a lack of support, Justice hit a game-winning home run in Game 6 of the 1995 World Series, giving the Braves their first world championship since 1957. Justice suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in 1996 and was traded to the Cleveland Indians.

The Braves selected Bob Horner with the No. 1 overall pick of the 1978 amateur draft and jumped straight to the major leagues. He was named the National League Rookie of the Year and would produce solid power numbers throughout his eight seasons in Atlanta. He became a free agent in 1987 and ended up playing for the Yakult Swallows of the Japanese League. Horner returned to America in 1988 and finished his career with St. Louis.

Dominique Wilkins starred at the University of Georgia and became an Atlanta icon after spending 13 ultra-successful seasons with the Hawks. The Human Highlight Reel was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers for Danny Manning in February 1994.

The Hawks selected "Pistol" Pete Maravich with the third pick in the 1970 NBA Draft. He spent four seasons in Atlanta before being traded to the New Orleans Jazz for eight players in 1974.

The Hawks selected John Drew with the seventh pick in the 1974 NBA Draft. He led the Association in offensive rebounding as a rookie and was a two-time all-star for the Hawks. He was traded to Utah in 1982 for Dominique Wilkins. In 1985, he became the first player ever to be banned for life under the NBA's drug policy.

Dany Heatley, the Thrashers No. 2 overall pick in 2000, was a blossoming star and fan favorite when tragedy struck. On Sept. 23, 2003, Heatley and teammate Dan Snyder were injured when Heatley lost control of his Ferrari on Lenox Road in Buckhead. Snyder died from injuries sustained in the accident, and Heatley would be convicted of second-degree vehicular manslaughter. After asking for a trade, Heatley was sent to Ottawa for Marian Hossa on Aug. 23, 2005.

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Jeff Francoeur's swift rise to Atlanta fame has hit a road block.

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