The Falcons tabbed five former standout players to serve as honorary captains for the NFC championship game against the 49ers on Sunday: Steve Bartowski, Warrick Dunn, Tommy Nobis, Jeff Van Note and Jessie Tuggle.
The Falcons selected Bartowski with the No. 1 overall pick in the 1975 NFL draft. He was voted rookie of the year and played for 10 seasons in Atlanta while setting the franchise record for career passing yards and touchdowns.
Dunn played for the Falcons from 2002 to 2007 and rushed for 5,981 yards on 1,413 carries with 30 touchdowns. He ranks fourth all-time in rushing yards for the Falcons.
Nobis, a linebacker, was the Falcons' first-even draft pick before their inaugural season in 1966. He was named rookie of the year and voted to the Pro Bowl that season.
Starting in 1969 Van Note played on Atlanta's offensive line for 18 seasons, a club record. He was voted to the Pro Bowl six times, tying him with Claude Humphrey for the most in Falcons history. Van Note played in 155 consecutive games for the Falcons, which is another team record.
The Falcons signed Tuggle as an undrafted free agent in 1987. He went on to play 14 seasons for the Falcons while making five Pro Bowl teams and recording a franchise record 2,065 tackles.
