ATL Draft History | Steve Bartkowski Drafted No. 1 Overall
On January 28, 1975, the Atlanta Falcons selected QB Steve Bartkowski No. 1 overall in the NFL Draft. Take a look back at this Ring of Honor member's time with the Falcons.
NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle, left, congratulates Steve Bartkowski in New York as Bartkowski was picked as the first choice in the NFL college draft, Jan. 28, 1975. A quarterback, Bartkowski played college ball for the University of California. (AP Photo/Harry Harris)
University of California quarterback Steve Bartkowski gets set to try on a helmet of the Atlanta Falcons of the NFL in Atlanta before flying to New York for the NFL's Pro Football Draft, Jan. 28, 1975. Bartkowski will be the first round pick of the Falcons, who got the No. 1 first round pick in a recent trade with the Baltimore Colts. The Falcons traded their no. 3 picking spot and offensive tackle George Kunz for Baltimore's spot so they could be assured of drafting Bartkowski. (AP Photo/Joe Holloway Jr.)
Steve Bartkowski, who played football with the University of California, strolls past a hot dog vendor on New York's Avenue of the Americas (Sixth Avenue), Jan. 28, 1975, after being chosen by the Atlanta Falcons in the first round of the NFL draft choices. (AP Photo/Harry Harris)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Steve Bartkowski (10) drops back to pass during an NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams in Atlanta on October 11, 1981. The Rams defeated the Falcons 37-35. (AP Photo/Chuck Solomon)
Atlanta Falcons Steve Bartkowski (10) during a game from his 1983 season with the Atlanta Falcons. Steve Bartkowski played for 12 years with 2 different teams and was a 2-time Pro Bowler.(David Durochik via AP)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Steve Bartkowski (10) warms up before the Falcons 27 - 0 victory over the New Orleans Saints on Sept. 6, 1981 at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Steve Bartkowski (10) drops back to pass during an NFL game against the New Orleans Saints in Atlanta on October 9, 1983. The Saints defeated the Falcons 19-17. (AP Photo/Chuck Solomon)
Atlanta Falcons two-time All Pro quarterback Steve Bartkowski eyes a receiver during workout at the Suwanee complex in Georgia, Sept. 17, 1982. He says he personally does not want to strike but will support his teammates if the NFL Players Association goes on strike. (AP Photo/Joe Holloway Jr.)
Atlanta Falcons Steve Bartkowski (10) during a game from his 1982 season with the Atlanta Falcons. Steve Bartkowski played for 12 years with 2 different teams and was a 2-time Pro Bowler.(David Durochik via AP)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Steve Bartkowski (10) talks with Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw on the field before the Falcon 30-27 loss to the Dallas Cowboys in the 1980 NFC Divisional Playoff Game on January 4, 1981 at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)
Atlanta Falcons Steve Bartkowski (10) during a game from his 1982 season with the Atlanta Falcons. Steve Bartkowski played for 12 years with 2 different teams and was a 2-time Pro Bowler.(David Durochik via AP)
The banner of former Atlanta Falcons player Steve Bartkowski (10) hangs from the rafters of the Georgia Dome during a week 13 NFL football game between the Atlanta Falcons against the New Orleans Saints in Atlanta, Georgia on November 28, 2012. The Falcons defeated the Saints 23-13. (AP Photo/Scott Boehm)
Former Atlanta Falcons player Steve Bartkowski is recognized during the first half of an NFL football game between the Atlanta Falcons and the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
