Atlanta Falcons mourn loss of Jeff Van Note
ATLANTA — Oct. 2, 2026 — The Atlanta Falcons announced they mourn the loss of Jeff Van Note, a longtime centerpiece of the franchise who spent 18 seasons with the club after being drafted in 1969 and retiring following the 1986 season. He earned six Pro Bowl selections and twice was named a second-team All-Pro by the Associated Press. The team said Van Note helped shape the identity of the Falcons and left a legacy that will endure.
Van Note moved from linebacker to center at the request of head coach Norm Van Brocklin and earned the starting job in 1970. He displayed remarkable durability and consistency, appearing in 246 games and making 225 starts. He missed only four games in his NFL career, and the Falcons inducted him into the team’s Ring of Honor in 2006.
After his playing days, Van Note worked as a color commentator through much of the 1990s and early 2000s and remained a frequent voice on Atlanta sports radio and for the Falcons. Falcons owner and chairman Arthur M. Blank said, “Today, we mourn the loss of a true Falcons legend,” praising Van Note’s toughness, resilience and humility. Blank extended the Falcons family’s deepest sympathies to Van Note’s wife, Dee, their children and all who are grieving this loss.
NFL Sports Blog Take
Jeff Van Note’s career represents one of the more durable and decorated stretches for an offensive lineman in franchise history, combining longevity with high-level play. His transition from linebacker to center early in his career and his near-perfect availability across nearly two decades reinforced continuity on Atlanta’s offensive front. His later work in local media helped preserve his bond with the community and ensured his influence extended beyond the playing field.