Tommy Nobis

"MR. FALCON"

The first-ever player drafted by the Falcons and the first overall selection in the 1966 draft, Tommy Nobis quickly became the first-ever Falcons player voted to the Pro Bowl after being selected in his first year. It was the first of his five trips. In nine of his 11 NFL seasons, “Mr. Falcon” led the Falcons in tackles and Nobis’ mark of 294 total combined stops is still a club record.

ACQUIRED:

The Falcons selected Outland Trophy winning linebacker Tommy Nobis from the University of Texas with the first overall choice in the 1966 NFL Draft, which was also the first draft choice in franchise history.

MILESTONES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Professional Career

• The first ever player drafted by the Falcons for the inaugural 1966 season. Tommy quickly became the first ever Falcons player voted to the Pro Bowl in his rookie year. The stellar middle linebacker was named rookie of the year for his efforts.
•  “Mr. Falcon” led the team in tackles in nine of his 11 seasons, while earning five trips to the Pro Bowl.
• After his 46th consecutive NFL game, he underwent knee surgery in 1969 and anointer one on the other knee in 1971. Tough Nobis came back to earn another Pro Bowl spot in 1972.
• One of football’s fiercest competitors ever, his middle linebacker toughness is legendary.
• In a poll conducted in 1970 by ABC to pick the best athlete of the decade of the 1960s, RB O.J. Simpson was No. 1 and Tommy Nobis was No. 2 in the entire country.
• He had a 294 tackles as a rookie in 1966, a record that still stands to this day.
• Also intercepted 11 passes during his pro career, returning two of them for touchdowns.
• His jersey, No. 60, was the first one the Falcons ever honored. Nobis was the only one to ever wear the number in the franchise’s history.

Honors

• Five Pro Bowls (1966-68, 1970, 1972).
• NFL Rookie of the Year in 1966.
• Hall of Fame honors: The National Football Foundation Hall of Fame, The State of Texas Hall of Fame, The State of Georgia Hall of Fame
• Named to Sports Illustrated’s All-Century Team (1869-1969).

College

• As a linebacker and offensive guard at the University of Texas, won both Outland and Maxwell trophies as best college player.
• Played for Darrell Royal on the team the won the 1963 national championship over Navy and its outstanding QB Roger Staubach.
• In 1964, was part of a 10-1 squad which beat Alabama and its star quarterback, Joe Namath, in the Orange Bowl.

Personal

• Born September 20, 1942 in San Antonio, Texas.
• He and his wife, Lynn, have three children: Tommy, III, Kevin and Devon.
• Is the founder and board member of the Tommy Nobis Center, which provides job training and employment services for both youth and adults with disabilities. The center has been in place for more than 27 years and its staff has placed more than 12,000 young people and adults into jobs throughout metro Atlanta.
• Has been named NFL Man of the Year in addition to the Joseph P. Kennedy award for Special Olympics.