The Atlanta Falcons lost one of the pillars of their history on Friday, when Jeff Van Note died at 80. The team announced his death but did not release a cause.
Van Note spent all 18 of his NFL seasons in Atlanta after the Falcons took him in the 11th round of the 1969 NFL Draft out of Kentucky. He entered the league as a linebacker, but coach Norm Van Brocklin moved him to center, a switch that helped launch one of the longest careers in franchise history. By 1970, he had locked down the starting job and kept it for years.
His durability became part of his legacy. Van Note appeared in 246 games and started 226, missing only four games during his career.
He also earned six Pro Bowl selections and picked up second-team All-Pro honors in 1979 and 1982. Through all the turnover around him, he remained a constant on the Falcons’ offensive line and played in front of 14 different starting quarterbacks.
Atlanta honored that run in 2006 by placing him in its Ring of Honor, making him just the fifth player to receive the distinction.
After his playing days ended in 1986, Van Note stayed close to football and to the city that had become his home. He worked as a radio analyst for the Falcons and Kentucky, appeared regularly on Atlanta sports talk shows, and hosted a weekly Falcons radio show in the early 2000s.
Falcons owner Arthur Blank praised Van Note’s place in team history in a statement released by the club.
“We mourn the loss of a true Falcons legend,” Blank said in a statement released by the team. “Jeff Van Note dedicated 18 seasons to this franchise and became one of the most respected and beloved players in our history. He embodied toughness, resilience, humility, and an unwavering commitment to his team, qualities that earned him the admiration of generations of Falcons fans.”
Blank also said Van Note’s impact went beyond his playing résumé.
“Jeff’s contributions to this organization cannot be measured solely by his accomplishments on the field,” Blank said. “He helped shape the identity of the Atlanta Falcons and left a legacy that will endure for years to come.”
Van Note is survived by his children, Beau, Ben, and Blaine.
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