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Jeff Van Note

Jeffrey Aloysius Van Note (born February 7, 1946^[1]) is an American former professional football player who was a center for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL) during the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. He played college football for the Kentucky Wildcats. The Falcons selected him in the 11th round of the 1969 NFL draft.

College career[edit]

Van Note played at the University of Kentucky, where he was a running back and defensive end for the Kentucky Wildcats football team from 1966 to 1968.

Professional career[edit]

Van Note was drafted as a linebacker by the Atlanta Falcons in the 11th round—the 269th overall pick of the 1969 NFL draft. During the 1969 season, he played minor league football with the Alabama (Huntsville) Hawks of the Continental Football League.

Van Note soon moved to center by Falcons head coach Norm Van Brocklin. Despite his modest draft status and lack of experience in the position, Van Note established himself as one of the finest centers in the NFL, making six Pro Bowls and helping the young Atlanta franchise to some of the greatest seasons in team history. His 18-year tenure with the Falcons is one of the 25 longest in NFL history and is the second longest while staying with the same team. He played in 246 games over this stretch, and his 225 games started as a Falcon is second in team history to Mike Kenn. Van Note missed a mere four games in his entire NFL career.

In his final home game at Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium on December 14, 1986, the Falcons honored Van Note and presented him a 57 Chevy.^[2] He would also be voted by fans as the franchise's favorite player during the Falcons' 25th Anniversary season in 1991. Van Note would be inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in 1999.

Broadcasting career[edit]

After retiring from professional football, Van Note served as color commentator on the Atlanta Falcons and Kentucky Wildcats football broadcasts throughout the 1990s. Throughout this period, he would also frequently be heard on Atlanta airwaves as a sports-talk radio host.

Van Note also spent time alongside Joe McConnell as the color commentator for the Tennessee Oilers in 1997.

Van Note gave up his commentator positions with both teams following the 2003 season, but was called back into regular duty when Georgia Tech football analyst Kim King was unable to call games and later died in the fall of 2004.

Though no longer occupying the Falcons' play-by-play booth, he has continued to appear weekly on the Falcons' radio broadcasts, hosting a studio pre-game show and taking calls following the game.

Van Note called the University of Kentucky/Middle Tennessee State game with Tom Leach on UK radio in September 2008, filling in for regular commentator Jeff Piecoro.

Honors[edit]

• 4 time All-NFC (UPI) - 1975, 1980–1982
• 6 time Pro-Bowler - 1974–1975, 1979–1982
• 2 time 2nd Team All-Pro (AP) - 1979, 1982
• Induction into the American Football Association's Semi Pro Football Hall of Fame - 1984^[3]
• Participant in the collegiate Blue-Gray All-Star game
• Falcons Ring of Honor - 2006
• Harris Poll Voter - 2011

References[edit]

External links[edit]

• Georgia Sports Hall of Fame
• American Football Association