Thomas Dimitroff Front Office

Lore & Background

The Falcons have appeared in two Super Bowls, the first during the 1998 season in Super Bowl XXXIII, where they lost to the Denver Broncos 34–19, and the second 18 years later, a 34–28 overtime loss to the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LI.

In Their Own Story

The fluorescent lights of the draft room hummed with tension as Thomas Dimitroff stared at the board. The year was 2008, and the weight of Atlanta's future rested on his shoulders. With the first pick in the NFL Draft, he didn't hesitate; the name 'Matt Ryan' was called out to a sea of hopeful fans, marking the beginning of a new chapter where the Falcons would finally challenge for the pinnacle of the sport.

Reader's Guide

The Falcons' current home field is Mercedes-Benz Stadium, which opened for the 2017 season; the team's headquarters and practice facilities are located at a 50-acre (20 ha) site in Flowery Branch, northeast of Atlanta in Hall County.

Did You Know?

• The Falcons were founded on June 30, 1965, after the NFL offered then-owner Rankin Smith a franchise to keep him from joining the rival American Football League.
• The team's nickname was suggested by Miss Julia Elliott, a school teacher from Griffin, who wrote: 'the Falcon is proud and dignified, with great courage and fight.'
• The Falcons have won division championships in 1980, 1998, 2004, 2010, 2012, and 2016.