Throwback Uniforms

The Atlanta Falcons will wear replica, 1966 jerseys for the team's Week 2 game against the Carolina Panthers and its Week 12 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers . This is the first time since the team re-designed its logo and uniforms in 2002 that throwback jerseys will be worn.

CLICK HERE TO BUY THE REPLICA JERSEY 
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE PHOTOS

The reasoning for 1966? Well, it was a special year in Atlanta -- the year the NFL awarded a franchise to the city.

Rankin M. Smith was awarded the team for $8.5 million. At the time there were 14 NFL franchises in existence, eight AFL clubs. Officially, Atlanta became the 23rd professional football club in existence, the 15th in the NFL prior to the merger.

The 2009 Falcons will wear the throwback uniform in place of the alternate jerseys they've worn in previous years (black jersey, black pants). Many teams in the NFL -- including the New York Jets, Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers -- have made throwback jerseys the permanent alternate option. The original AFL teams will also wear throwback jerseys in a collection of 2009 games.

Atlanta has seen a dozen uniform changes since the original 1966 style was unveiled, but the colors red, black and white have remained standard for the life of the franchise.

A unique touch on the 1966 look? The gold stripes that flank the middle line on the helmet.

An average of 56,526 people filled Atlanta Stadium to watch the Falcons finish their inaugural season at 3-11. The Falcons claimed their first victory on November 20, defeating the New York Giants, 27-16, at storied Yankee Stadium.

Head Coach Norb Hecker’s team, at the time, became the only expansion team in history not to finish in last place. The Falcons finished in seventh place in a field of eight teams in the NFL’s Eastern Conference. The Falcons’ first pick in the draft, linebacker Tommy Nobis, was voted to the Pro Bowl and named Rookie of the Year.

For more history throughout the season, be sure to check out Frank Kleha's new blog. Kleha has been a member of the team's public relations staff for more than two decades and offers a unique perspective on the game, its alumni and life in the NFL. You can also follow history updates on Twitter (@FalconsHistory).

RELATED LINKS:

• STORE: Purchase replica throwback jerseys
• TICKETS: Click here for ticket information for Carolina and other games
• HISTORY: More Falcons history and Alumni news
• PHOTOS: Take a trip down memory lane, 1966
  

A look back at the Falcons uniform history...