ATL Draft History | Tommy Nobis is Mr. Falcon
Linebacker Tommy Nobis, known as Mr. Falcon, signed with the Atlanta Falcons on Dec. 14, 1965. Nobis is the first player ever drafted by Atlanta. He spent his entire 11-year career with the team.
In this Dec. 14, 1965, file photo, All-America Texas linebacker Tommy Nobis, left, and Rankin Smith, owner of the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League announce Nobis' signing of a contract with the team in Austin, Texas on Dec. 14, 1965.
(AP Photo/File)
National Football League Commissioner Pete Rozelle chalks in the name of Texas linebacker Tommy Nobis as the Atlanta Falcons selection at the start of the opening round of the league?s draft of college players in New York on Nov. 27, 1965. Other teams in the league are listed in the order of draft selection, the inverse order of the combined league standing. (AP Photo/Dave Pickoff)
Tommy Nobis, University of Texas linebacker, a draft choice of the Houston Oilers AFL and the Atlanta Falcons NFL, scratches his head as he talks with Houston Oilers owner K.S. "Bud" Adams at the Oilers Chargers game in Houston, Dec. 12, 1965. Nobis hasn't reached a decision as to which club he will join. (AP Photo)
In this Dec. 13, 1966, file photo, Tommy Nobis of the Atlanta Falcons poses. Nobis, the first player ever drafted by Atlanta in 1966. (AP Photo/File)
All-America Texas linebacker Tommy Nobis, left, and Rankin Smith, owner of the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League announce Nobis' signing of a contract with the Falcons in Austin, Texas on Dec. 14, 1965. Nobis, No. 1 draft choice of both National and American Football Leagues, turned down an offer from the Houston Oilers of the AFL, saying he prefers the NFL brand of football. (AP Photo)
Tommy Nobis, Univ. of Texas linebacker, who is draft choice of the Houston Oilers, AFL, and Atlanta Falcons, NFL, and his girlfriend Lynn Edwards of San Antonio, Texas, are shown at the Oilers-San Diego Chargers football game in Houston on Dec. 13, 1965. Nobis and his party were guests of Oiler owner K.S. (Bud) Adams. The All-America linebacker hasn't indicated with which team he will sign. (AP Photo/Dave Taylor)
Tommy Nobis, All-America linebacker from Texas, is show outside the Waldorf-Astoria Nov. 27, 1965 in New York's Park Avenue. Earlier in the day he was the first player in the country to be drafted by both the National and American Football League Teams. The Atlanta Falcons of the NFL, the new team, made him their first pick and the Houston Oilers of the American Football League also made him their first choice. (AP Photo/JL)
Former Atlanta Falcons Pro Bowler Tommy Nobis (60), the first player ever drafted by the franchise, is introduced along with other members of the 1966 inaugural team during half time of their NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2009, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis)
