Jeff Van Note
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| Jeff Van Note | |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | February 7, 1946 |
| Place of birth |  South Orange, New Jersey |
| Position(s) | Center |
| College | Kentucky |
| NFL Draft | 1969 / Round 11/ Pick 262 |
| Pro Bowls | 6 |
| Retired #s | Atlanta Falcons #57 |
| Statistics | |
| Team(s) | |
| 1969-1986 | Atlanta Falcons |
Jeff Van Note (born February 7, 1946 in South Orange, New Jersey), was an American professional football player who spent 18 years in the National Football League as a center for the Atlanta Falcons.
Contents |
[edit] NFL Career
After finishing his career as an running back and defensive end at the University of Kentucky, Van Note was drafted as a linebacker in the 11th Round of the 1969 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons.
Van Note was soon moved to center by Falcons head coach Norm Van Brocklin. Despite his modest draft status and lack of experience at 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.
The Falcons retired Van Note's number 57 on December 15, 1986, at halftime of his final home game at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, also presenting him a 57 Chevy prior to the game. 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. Despite these honors, Van Note was conspicuously absent from the Falcons' inaugural Ring of Honor in 2004.
Van Note and LB Tommy Nobis are often considered to be the Falcons' strongest candidates for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, though neither has been given serious consideration because of the franchise's poor history. As of 2006, the Falcons remain unrepresented in the Hall.
[edit] Broadcasting career
After retiring from the National Football League, Van Note served as color commentator on the Atlanta Falcons and University of Kentucky football broadcasts through the 1990s. Throughout this period, he would also frequently be heard on Atlanta airwaves as a sports-talk radio host.
Van Note abdicated his commentator position with both teams following the 2003 season, but was called back into regular duty when Georgia Tech football analyst Kim King died in the fall of 2004. Van Note would subsequently serve as color commentator for Georgia Tech football for the 2004 and 2005 seasons. He is currently slated to continue in this capacity for the 2006 season.
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.
[edit] Falcons Ring of Honor
Jeff Van Note was inducted into the Falcons Ring of Honor on October 1, 2006. Van Note was selected by fan vote and joined the four inaugural members of the Ring of Honor, Tommy Nobis, Steve Bartkowski, William Andrews, and Jessie Tuggle. The Falcons Ring of Honor was established in 2004 to honor retired players who made significant contributions to the Falcons during their playing careers. Many long time Falcons fans were surprised that Van Note was not among the inaugural inductees, but are pleased that he has now received this well deserved honor.
[edit] Honors
- 6 time Pro-Bowler - 1974-75, 1979-82
- 2nd Team All-Pro (AP) - 1982
- All-NFC (UPI) - 1980
- Participant in the collegiate Blue-Gray All-Star game
- Falcons Ring of Honor - 2006
