Tom Braatz, a former Falcons scout, director of player personnel and general manager, who worked for the team from 1965-86, died Tuesday in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
“Tom was the consummate football man,” Falcons president Rich McKay said. “A true professional (who) was respected by everyone he came in contact with throughout the NFL.”
Braatz, 85, worked with Falcons coaches Norm Van Brocklin, Marion Campbell and Leeman Bennett. He hired Bobby Beathard on his first scouting staff in April 1968, and Beathard went on to become general manager of the San Diego Chargers and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in August.
Braatz was featured in a front-page article in April 1982 in the Wall Street Journal. During his time with the Falcons, the team drafted or acquired 24 players who played in 68 Pro Bowls, including Tommy Nobis, Jim Mitchell, Claude Humphrey, Jeff Van Note, William Andrews, Gerald Riggs, Steve Bartkowski, Junior Miller, Mike Kenn, Bill Fralic, R.C. Thielemann and Bobby Butler.
The group also includes some lesser known Pro Bowlers such as George Kunz, John James, Scott Case and Jim “Cannonball” Butler. Buddy Curry and Al Richardson were named AP co-rookies of the year from the 1980 draft.
Braatz was named executive vice president of football operations for the Green Bay Packers on Jan. 31, 1987.
Braatz, who preceded Ron Wolf in Green Bay, drafted key players such as Sterling Sharpe, Leroy Butler, Chuck Cecil, Don Majkowski and Bryce Paup, among others.
“My father was focused on the ‘4 F’s’- Faith, Family, Friends and Fishing,” his son Jonathan said. “He enjoyed teaching his four grandchildren about fishing at their home at Lake Lanier and in (Fort) Lauderdale. He loved Willie Nelson and was also an avid collector of old fishing lures, western belt buckles, and Stag horn carving sets among other things.”
In 1992, Don Shula named Braatz the director of college scouting for the Miami Dolphins. Braatz retired from the NFL in June 2003.
Other front-office hires made by Bratz still in the league include John Dorsey (Browns general manager) and Jason Licht (Buccaneers general manager).
In 39 seasons as a front office executive, Braatz drafted or acquired 45 players who played in 117 Pro Bowls. His teams went to 17 playoff games during his tenure. He has been inducted into the Pro Scouting Hall of Fame and was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from his alma mater, Marquette University.
Braatz was born in Kenosha, Wis., to Myron and Lila Braatz.
He played football under coach Lisle Blackbourn at Marquette and was selected in the 14th round of the 1955 NFL draft by the Washington Redskins.
Braatz is survived by his wife of 63 years, Geraldine Braatz; his two sons, Jonathan Braatz of Atlanta (Stephanie); Thomas Braatz; and four grandchildren (Jonathan II, Ryan, Hannah, Sarah).
