Two Falcons Ring of Honor members –– Jessie Tuggle and Jeff Van Note –– will be inducted into separate Halls of Fame this summer.
Former Falcons LB Jessie Tuggle will be honored for his college career as he will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame while former C Jeff Van Note will be honored for his pro career as he will go into the Atlanta Sports Hall of Fame.
Tuggle, the former Valdosta State star who played for the Falcons from 1987–2000 and was a member of the club’s inaugural Ring Of Honor Class in 2004, will enter the College Football Hall of Fame during the weekend of July 19–21 in South Bend, Ind. He will be part of the Hall of Fame Divisional Class for 2007, which considers players and coaches from the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (formerly I–AA), Divisions II, III, and the NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) for induction.
Tuggle will be part of a class which includes: Players – Tracy Ham – QB, Georgia Southern, 1983–86, Joe Kendall – QB, Kentucky State, 1934–36 and Frank Sheptock – LB, Bloomsburg (Pa.), 1982–85. Coaches: Jim Christopherson – Concordia College (Minn.) (1969–2000), 218–101–7 and William "Billy" Joe – Florida A&M (1994– 2004), Central State (Ohio) (1981–93), Cheyney (Pa.) (1972–78), 237–108–4.
A highly touted defensive force, Valdosta State’s Jessie Tuggle redefined the linebacker position in the Gulf South Conference en route to prolific collegiate and pro careers.
A first team All–America selection, Tuggle was a three–time All–Conference pick and named the Gulf South Conference’s Defensive Player of the Year in 1986. He holds the school record for most tackles in a career (340) and was a two–time recipient of the Blazers’ Hugh C. Bailey Player of the Year award.
Tuggle’s No. 88 was retired in 1993 by VSU, where he was also inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame in 1997 and named Distinguished Alumnus in 2002. Beloved by his alma mater, the school’s workout facility was named the Jessie Tuggle Strength & Fitness Complex in his honor.
"The Hammer" joined the Atlanta Falcons in 1987 as an undrafted free agent, and during his 13 years with the club, he made five NFL Pro Bowl appearances and finished his career with 2,065 tackles –– the most in team history. Tuggle led the NFL in tackles in both 1990 (201) and 1991 (207), while maintaining 12 consecutive 100–tackle seasons. Also a leader off the playing field, the Jessie Tuggle Humanitarian Award is given annually to a Falcon player who displays dedication to the community.
Van Note, who was inducted to the Falcons Ring of Honor this past season, will enter the Atlanta Sports Hall of Fame on June 8.
The South Orange, N.J. native anchored the Birds’ offensive line from 1969–86. Drafted in the 11th round of the 1969 NFL Draft as a linebacker, he moved to the offensive line and became a six–time Pro Bowler as part of his 18–year career. He ranks second in club history for games played (246) and games started (225) and started 112 consecutive games from 1970–84.
A hallmark of his career is that he organized the running lanes for eight 1,000–yard rushers while with the Falcons. His work was honored as he was named All–NFC in 1980 and was a second team All–Pro in 1982. He missed only four games and eight starts during his stellar career in Atlanta.
