Former Falcons star Jamal Anderson arrested

Metro Atlanta

Former Falcons star Jamal Anderson arrested

Former Atlanta Falcons running back Jamal Sharif Anderson was jailed in Atlanta early Sunday morning after being charged with possession of cocaine and marijuana. February 2009.

Former Atlanta Falcons running back Jamal Sharif Anderson, shown playing in 1998, was jailed in Atlanta early Sunday morning after being charged with possession of cocaine and marijuana.

Jamal Anderson, here against the Dolphins, popularized the "Dirty Bird" dance.

Jamal Anderson relaxes in the sauna in 1998. He had been named NFC offensive player of the week.

Anderson had his hands firmly on the running game in 1997.

Atlanta Falcons running back Jamal Anderson holds the ball up after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the St. Louis Rams in 1998.

Atlanta Falcons kicker Morten Andersen, left, quarterback Chris Chandler, right, and running back Jamal Anderson celebrate Atlanta's 30-27 overtime victory over the Minnesota Vikings, propelling them to the Super Bowl.

Jamal Anderson was a star on the 1999 team that won the NFC championship and then went to Super Bowl XXXIII, where the team lost to the Denver Broncos.

Atlanta Falcons Jamal Anderson walks in a light rain from the team's locker room to a team meeting at the Falcons training facility in Suwanee in 1998.

Newly named head coach Dan Reeves gets some hard questions from Falcons running back Jamal Anderson doing a standup for WSB-TV in 1997.

Anderson left the team in 2001 after hurting his knee.

In 1999, Falcons player Jamal Anderson addresses the crowd at Woodruff Park in Downtown Atlanta at the end of a parade honoring the team for its big year.

Anderson, shown here during his Falcons years, worked as an NFL analyst for ESPN⿿s First Take this past season.

1/12

Former Atlanta Falcons running back Jamal Sharif Anderson, shown playing in 1998, was jailed in Atlanta early Sunday morning after being charged with possession of cocaine and marijuana.

Today's Gallery Headlines

Jimmy Carter ‘forever’ stamp

PHOTOS: 2025 AJC Photos of the Year

Coca-Cola first ad

PHOTOS: Coca-Cola ads over time

Alonzo Herndon

PHOTOS: Philanthropists leave mark on Atlanta

gainesville, thomas county central

PHOTOS: Thomas County Central pummels Gainesville for 5A state title

More Galleries

People are silhouetted against a huge Pride flag before the start of the Atlanta Pride Parade on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025. (Ben Gray for the AJC)

Photos: Atlanta Pride Parade 2025

Splish Splash Doggie Bash at Piedmont Park

Photos: Splish Splash Doggie Bash at Piedmont Park

Fallen Dekalb County Firefighter Preston Fant arrives at West Cobb Funeral Home

PHOTOS: Fallen DeKalb firefighter honored with processional through metro Atlanta

Dragon Con Parade

PHOTOS: Dragon Con Parade 2025 brings out colorful characters