Photos of the first Falcon: Tommy Nobis

Sports

Photos of the first Falcon: Tommy Nobis

Photos of the first Atlanta Falcons player, linebacker Tommy Nobis.

Tommy Nobis gets a lick in the face from his dog Rosie at the family home in Sandy Springs. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM

Tommy Nobis, the franchise's first draft pick in 1966, had a stellar career but endured many losing seasons, including a 1-12-2 mark in 1967. "It's our worst record, I do remember that. You can tell I don't forget those kinds of things."

Nobis was the first player ever drafted by the expansion Atlanta Falcons. In his rookie season, Nobis amassed an unprecedented 294 tackles, which stands as the team's all-time single-season record.

Tommy Nobis recalls his career in the trenches from the front porch of the family home in Sandy Springs. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM

Atlanta Falcons player Tommy Nobis in 1972. (BILL GRIMES/AJC staff)

Players from the earliest days of the Atlanta Falcons, dating back to the mid-1960s, gather for a reunion around the Falcons first-ever draft pick linebacker Tommy Nobis who hoists a football. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM

Nobis, shown in 2001, supervised the building of the Falcons training facility at Flowery Branch.

Long-time Falcons employee, from left to right, Carol Breeding, Tommy Nobis and Horace Daniel in 1999. (RICH ADDICKS/AJC staff)

Tommy Nobis spends time at the Atlanta Sports Awards at the Fox Theatre on Monday, Feb. 11, 2008. Jenni Girtman / AJC

Tommy Nobis gives the eulogy for Rankin Smith Sr., during a memorial service for the Atlanta Falcons owner, Tuesday October 28, 1997 at Peachtree Memorial United Methodist Church. At right is Dan Rooney, president of the Pittsburgh Steelers. (TAIMY ALVAREZ/AJC STAFF)

Tommy Nobis works out in 1967.=

Players from the 1966 Falcons gather during a reunion. Front (from left) are general manager Tom Braatz, defensive back Ken Reaves, linebacker Tommy Nobis, linebacker Ralph Heck, and wide receiver Gary Barnes. Back row (from left) are kicker Lou Kirovac, tackle Don Talbert, and tight end Bill Martin. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM

Falcons first-ever draft pick linebacker Tommy Nobis (left) shares a laugh with teammate safety Ray Brown during a reunion on Saturday, May 4, 2013, at Lake Lanier Islands Resort. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM

Backfield coach Billy Ray Barnes (left) gives the Falcons first-ever draft pick Tommy Nobis a pat on the back during a reunion of players from the earliest days of the team in 2013 at Lake Lanier Islands Resort. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM

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Tommy Nobis gets a lick in the face from his dog Rosie at the family home in Sandy Springs. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM

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