Steve Bartkowski

"BART"

The Falcons number one draft choice in 1975, Steve Bartkowski the quarterback broke into the lineup as a rookie and was named the NFL’s Rookie of the Year. In the next 11 years, Steve was an All-Pro twice and Offensive MVP of the NFC following a magical 1980 season. He was the NFL's leading passer three times during his prolific career. He led Falcons to their first Divisional Championships in 1980 and 1982 and Falcon records for most touchdown passes in a season (31), most passing yards in a season (3,830), most career passing yards (23,468) and most career touchdown passes (154).

ACQUIRED:

Steve Bartkowski was drafted by the Falcons out of the University of California as the number one overall draft choice in NFL in 1975. The Falcons sent offensive tackle George Kunz and a draft choice to the Baltimore Colts in exchange for the number one pick overall and a sixth-round selection.

MILESTONES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Pro Career

• The No. 1 player selected overall in the 1975 college draft by Atlanta. Would go on to be named rookie of the year after throwing for 1,662 yards and 15 touchdowns.
• Led the Falcons in passing nine seasons and led the National Football League in quarterback rating in 1983 (97.6) and completion percentage in 1984.
• Overcame numerous knee injuries to set every club record in passing that included 23,468 yards and 154 touchdown passes in his 123 Falcons games.
• Led the Falcons to first-ever playoff berth in 1978 and division title in 1980. A third playoff berth followed in 1982. His 1983 interception ratio of 1.16 (five in 432 attempts) was second-lowest in NFL history. Bartkowski once threw 197 straight passes without an interception, a club record.
• Produced three seasons of 3,000 yards or more passing, 12 games of more than 300 yards passing, and two seasons of 30 or more touchdown passes.
• He once started 56 consecutive games. A clutch performer, he had a game-winning or game-tying touchdown pass five times in the Falcons’ first playoff season of 1978. A pair of fourth quarter touchdowns led the Falcons to their first playoff win over the Philadelphia Eagles on December 24, 1978.

Honors

• Two time Pro Bowl pick in 1980-81.
• National Football League Players Association Most Valuable Player in 1980 in addition to being named Player of the Year by the Washington Touchdown Club and Kansas City 101 Sports Club.
• NFL Rookie of the Year in 1975.

College

• At the University of California, Bartkowski passed for 4,434 yards and 20 touchdowns in battling for playing time with another NFL-to-be quarterback in Vince Ferragamo.
• Was the first pick in the college draft after throwing for 2,580 yards as a senior.
• Was also an excellent long-ball hitting catcher-first baseman who was scouted by the major leagues.

Personal

• Born November 12, 1952 in Des Moines, Iowa and graduated from Santa Clara (Calif.) High.
• He and his wife, Sandee, have two sons, Phillip and Peter.
• Sits on the Atlanta Falcons’ Board of Directors.