Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons

Gonzalez, Dickerson among former Falcons nominated for College Football Hall of Fame

Atlanta Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers in the first half of an NFL football game at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta Sunday, Jan. 2, 2011. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

Credit: Rodney Ho

Credit: Rodney Ho

Atlanta Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers in the first half of an NFL football game at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta Sunday, Jan. 2, 2011. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
June 4, 2018

Six of the 176 players listed on the ballot for the College Football Hall of Fame spent a portion of the NFL careers with the Atlanta Falcons.

The 2019 ballot released Monday by the National Football Foundation (NFF) and College Hall of Fame included former SMU running back Eric Dickerson, who played the final season of his Pro Football Hall of Fame career with the Falcons in 1993, and former Cal tight end Tony Gonzalez, who had 409 catches in five seasons with the Falcons from 2009-13.

» More: Former Panthers top pick Tyrone Poole on ballot

Others with Falcons ties on the ballot include former Texas Tech running back Byron Hanspard, former Miss. Valley defensive back Ashley Ambrose, former Illinois defensive lineman Moe Gardner and former Pitt running back Craig “Ironhead” Heyward.

The finalists for the 2019 class will be announced in January as part of festivities surrounding the College Football Playoff National Championship and the class will be inducted Dec. 10, 2019, at the 62nd NFF Annual Awards Dinner in New York.

More Stories

Keep Reading

Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, here speaking to the media in January, has two 2025 first-round draft picks on his defense in Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com

Falcons coordinator Jeff Ulbrich skilled in developing players, defenses

Over his career, Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich has developed linebackers into stars, like Anthony Barr, Deion Jones, De’Vondre Campbell and Foye Oluokun

James Pearce Jr. seen as Falcons’ top DROY candidate

James Pearce Jr. is seen as the Falcons' top candidate for defensive rookie of the year.

Falcons’ Michael Penix Jr. celebrated by his Florida hometown

Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. is celebrated in his hometown, Dade City, Florida, with a street named for him and a new football camp for youths.

The Latest

Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, here speaking to the media in January, has two 2025 first-round draft picks on his defense in Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com

Falcons coordinator Jeff Ulbrich skilled in developing players, defenses

James Pearce Jr. seen as Falcons’ top DROY candidate

Falcons’ Michael Penix Jr. celebrated by his Florida hometown

Featured

The city of Brookhaven's mayor and City Council last week decided to remove the colored panes of glass from the dome of Brookhaven's new City Centre after residents objected to the brightness of the colors, seen here Friday, June 27, 2025. (Reed Williams/AJC)

Credit: Reed Williams/AJC

Brookhaven removes colored glass from City Centre dome after uproar

Some say the colors were too bright, the dome looked like ice cream with sprinkles and the hues distracted from the building’s muted design.

Confederate group sues to stop Stone Mountain’s ‘truth-telling’ exhibit

The Sons of Confederate Veterans allege the park’s changes to its Civil War history exhibits violate state law.

Georgia student going to court after being expelled for warning of threat

The middle school student was expelled after he sent messages to friends about a video he'd seen with someone threatening to shoot up area schools.