Jeff Van Note, one of the defining figures in Falcons history, has died at 80.
The team announced his death Friday and did not give a cause. Van Note spent all 18 seasons of his NFL career in Atlanta, earned six Pro Bowl selections, and was inducted into the Falcons Ring of Honor in 2006.
“We mourn the loss of a true Falcons legend,” owner Arthur Blank said in a statement released by the team.
Blank went on to describe Van Note as “one of the most respected and beloved players in our history,” praising the toughness, resilience, humility, and commitment that made him a fixture in the franchise’s identity.
Van Note’s path with Atlanta had an unusual start. The Falcons selected him out of Kentucky in the 11th round of the 1969 NFL Draft, and he first arrived as a linebacker before then-coach Norm Van Brocklin moved him to center. A year later, he had won the starting job.
From there, Van Note became one of the team’s most durable presences, starting 226 of 246 games over his career. He was named second-team All-Pro in 1979 and again in 1982.
After he retired in 1986, Van Note stayed connected to the sport and to the city, working as a color commentator and making appearances on Atlanta sports radio.
Blank said Van Note’s impact went well beyond the field, adding, “Jeff's contributions to this organization cannot be measured solely by his accomplishments on the field,” and noting that he “helped shape the identity of the Atlanta Falcons and left a legacy that will endure for years to come.”
The Falcons also extended condolences to Van Note’s children, Beau, Ben, and Blaine, along with everyone grieving his death.
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