Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons

Former Falcons quarterback Turk Schonert dies

Quarterback Turk Schonert played in 8 games for the Falcons in 1986.

Credit: George Rose

Credit: George Rose

Quarterback Turk Schonert played in 8 games for the Falcons in 1986.
By The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jan 21, 2019

Turk Schonert, who was brought from Cincinnati to Atlanta to compete with David Archer for the starting job as Falcons quarterback in 1986, has died.

Schonert preceded John Elway at Stanford. He was drafted in the ninth round of the 1980 NFL Draft by Chicago. He played nine years in the NFL for the Bengals and Falcons. In his lone season in Atlatna, Schonert appeared in eight games (starting five). He completed 95 of 154 passes for 1,032 yards and 4 touchdowns, going 2-3 in his five starts.

After his playing career, Schonert coached quarterbacks with the Buccaneers, Bills (twice), Panthers, Giants and Saints. He was the Bills’ offensive coordinator in 2008.

Schonert suffered a fatal heart attack Jan. 18 — two days after his 62nd birthday — near his home in South Carolina.

About the Author

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
More Stories

Keep Reading

Panthers quarterback Bryce Young is off to a slow start. He’s completed 53 of 90 passes (58.9%) for 482 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions. (John Raoux/AP)

Credit: AP

A quick look at Bryce Young and the Carolina Panthers

Coming off a big road win, the Falcons (1-1) are set to face the Panthers (0-2) at 1 p.m. Sunday at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.

11m ago

Former Falcons nominated for Pro Football Hall of Fame in seniors category

Eight Falcons stars from the 1960s through the 1990s were nominated. Four former UGA stars who played in the NFL, plus one from Tech, were also nominated.

Falcons’ Raheem Morris: ‘Those two young rushers set us off with a bunch of energy’

"I can’t say enough about those young guys. I can’t say enough about what they’ve done. They want to know how to play football every single day, says Coach Morris.

The Latest

Panthers quarterback Bryce Young is off to a slow start. He’s completed 53 of 90 passes (58.9%) for 482 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions. (John Raoux/AP)

Credit: AP

A quick look at Bryce Young and the Carolina Panthers

11m ago

What the Falcons had to say after the 22-6 win over the Vikings

Falcons’ Raheem Morris: ‘Those two young rushers set us off with a bunch of energy’

Featured

Fulton DA Fani Willis (center) with Nathan J. Wade (right), the special prosecutor she hired to manage the Trump case and had a romantic relationship with, at a news conference announcing charges against President-elect Donald Trump and others in Atlanta, Aug. 14, 2023. Georgia’s Supreme Court on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025, upheld an appeals court's decision to disqualify Willis from the election interference case against Trump and his allies. (Kenny Holston/New York Times)

Credit: NYT

Fani Willis loses last chance to stay at the helm of Trump Georgia election interference case

Georgia's top court declines to hear Fani Willis appeal in Trump case, meaning she can no longer pursue the election interference case.

Investigator: Ex-APD officer raped woman on duty, returned when she called 911

Fulton County Magistrate Judge Todd Ashley ruled there was enough evidence for the case to proceed against former officer Muhammad Muhammad.

Cobb County agency green lights tax break for Home Depot’s $140M project

The Development Authority of Cobb County voted 6-0 to give initial approval for Home Depot's request Tuesday but didn't disclose the property tax savings the company sought.

56m ago