Atlanta Falcons Ring of Honor: A Local Fan’s Guide to the Franchise’s Legends

If you love football in Atlanta, Georgia, the Atlanta Falcons Ring of Honor is one of the most meaningful traditions connected to the team. It’s more than just names on the stadium façade—it’s the franchise’s way of celebrating the players, coaches, and owners who shaped Falcons history and helped build Atlanta’s football culture.

This guide explains what the Ring of Honor is, who’s in it, where to see it at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and how Atlanta fans can experience and appreciate it up close.

What Is the Atlanta Falcons Ring of Honor?

The Atlanta Falcons Ring of Honor is a permanent tribute to the franchise’s most impactful figures. Members are typically former players, coaches, executives, or owners who made major contributions on the field, in the locker room, and often in the Atlanta community.

Inductees are honored with:

• Their name and number (if applicable) displayed prominently in the stadium
• A ceremony, often at halftime of a home game
• Recognition across the team’s official channels and within franchise history

For Atlanta fans, the Ring of Honor acts as a quick snapshot of who defined Falcons football over the decades—from the early days at Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium and the Georgia Dome to today’s games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Where to See the Ring of Honor in Atlanta

Inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium

The Ring of Honor is physically located inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium, where the Falcons play their home games:

Mercedes-Benz Stadium
1 AMB Drive NW
Atlanta, GA 30313

During a Falcons home game, you’ll see Ring of Honor names displayed along the upper bowl of the stadium. The exact presentation can change slightly with stadium updates, but the idea stays the same: these names are visible from most seating areas and are meant to be part of the game-day atmosphere.

If you’re:

• Attending a Falcons game – Look up toward the upper levels between plays or during breaks. The names are generally easy to spot and often mentioned during in-game features.
• Visiting on a stadium tour – Public tours typically include a view of the seating bowl, where a guide may point out or explain the Ring of Honor.

Stadium Tours and Fan Experiences

If you’re not going to a game but still want to see the Falcons Ring of Honor:

• Public stadium tours are usually available on select days.
• Tours often cover:
  • A walk through the main seating bowl
  • Views of the Ring of Honor displays
  • Background on Falcons history and key franchise milestones

You can usually get tour schedule information and pricing by contacting Mercedes-Benz Stadium Guest Services or checking official stadium information through their main phone line or ticket office at the stadium.

Who Is in the Atlanta Falcons Ring of Honor?

Ring of Honor members represent different eras of Falcons football, from the franchise’s earliest years to more recent playoff pushes. While inductees can change over time as new members are added, here is a representative snapshot of the types of people honored:

• Dominant defensive players who helped define the team’s identity
• Record-setting offensive stars who energized Atlanta’s fan base
• Leaders and fan favorites who made a major impact in the Atlanta community
• Owners or executives who played a key role in stabilizing and advancing the franchise

Names commonly associated with the Falcons Ring of Honor include:

• Tommy Nobis – Known as “Mr. Falcon,” a cornerstone linebacker from the team’s earliest days in Atlanta.
• Steve Bartkowski – A prolific quarterback and one of the first true offensive stars for the franchise.
• Jeff Van Note – A long-tenured center and one of the most respected players in team history.
• William Andrews – A powerful running back and fan favorite in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
• Jessie Tuggle – A tackling machine at linebacker and a symbol of toughness for Atlanta.
• Deion Sanders – A dynamic cornerback and return specialist who brought national attention to Atlanta.
• Gerald Riggs – Another standout running back and key offensive weapon.
• Mike Kenn – A durable and reliable offensive tackle who anchored the line for many years.
• Roddy White – A star wide receiver and key figure in the modern era of Falcons football.
• Matt Ryan – Longtime quarterback and league MVP who led Atlanta to multiple playoff runs.
• Michael Vick – A revolutionary dual-threat quarterback who changed how many fans viewed the position.
• Arthur Blank – The Falcons’ owner who helped usher in the modern era, including the move to Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Atlanta fans often see these names as a timeline of Falcons history, connecting different generations of supporters—from those who grew up going to games at the Georgia Dome to younger fans experiencing their first season downtown.

How Someone Gets Into the Falcons Ring of Honor

While the Falcons don’t treat the Ring of Honor exactly like the Pro Football Hall of Fame, there are informal patterns in how people are chosen:

• Significant on-field impact – Long-term production, key playoff runs, awards, or franchise records.
• Connection to Atlanta – Players and coaches who are especially beloved by the fan base or associated with major moments in city sports history.
• Leadership and community presence – Many inductees have reputations for leadership in the locker room and involvement in the Atlanta community.
• Time and perspective – Inductions often happen after a person’s playing or coaching career has ended, giving the team and fans time to see their full legacy.

The process typically involves team leadership and ownership, with announcements made ahead of the season or in the lead-up to a special home game where the induction ceremony will occur.

What Ring of Honor Games Are Like in Atlanta

If you happen to attend a Falcons game where a Ring of Honor member is being inducted, the experience is a little different from a standard Sunday:

• The game is often marketed around the honoree, with special features on video boards.
• You’ll usually see a halftime ceremony, where:
  • The honoree is introduced at midfield
  • Former teammates, family, or long-time Falcons figures may appear
  • The name is formally revealed or reintroduced in the stadium display
• Many fans wear throwback jerseys or gear from that player’s era.

For local fans or visitors:

• If you’re a lifelong Atlantan, these ceremonies can be emotional reminders of past seasons.
• If you’re new to the city or visiting, it’s a chance to quickly understand which names matter most in Falcons culture.

Quick Reference: Experiencing the Falcons Ring of Honor in Atlanta

Here’s a simple overview to help you plan:

How Atlanta Fans Can Connect With Ring of Honor History

Living in or visiting Atlanta gives you several ways to go deeper than just seeing the names in the stadium.

1. Attend a Falcons Home Game

Going to a game is the most direct way to experience the Ring of Honor:

• You’ll see the names throughout the game.
• In-game features often highlight past greats, especially during timeouts and halftime.
• Special theme games, like alumni weekends, may bring back former players connected to the Ring of Honor.

Game-day logistics:

• Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, 1 AMB Drive NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
• Transportation: Many fans use MARTA (e.g., GWCC/CNN Center Station or Vine City Station) to avoid parking hassle.
• Timing: Arrive early so you have time to walk the concourses and take in the stadium views where Ring of Honor names are visible.

2. Take a Stadium Tour

If you’re not a big game-day person, a stadium tour can still give you a clear look at the Ring of Honor while learning about:

• Stadium design
• Falcons history
• How the team and stadium fit into downtown Atlanta’s development

Tours run on selected days, often outside the football schedule. Availability can vary, so it’s best to check current information directly with Mercedes-Benz Stadium or at the stadium’s ticketing windows.

3. Explore Falcons History Around the City

While the Ring of Honor itself is in the stadium, Falcons history is woven into broader Atlanta sports culture:

• Sports bars and restaurants around downtown, Midtown, and the Westside frequently display photos, jerseys, and memorabilia of Ring of Honor members.
• Local fans often share their own stories—such as seeing Deion Sanders at the Georgia Dome or watching Matt Ryan lead comeback wins—which can bring the Ring of Honor names to life if you’re newer to the franchise.

Why the Ring of Honor Matters to Atlanta

For Atlanta, the Falcons Ring of Honor is more than a list of famous names:

• It reflects how the city has grown alongside its NFL team.
• It captures important eras: early expansion struggles, breakthrough playoff runs, and modern high-powered offenses.
• It gives local fans a way to connect across generations—parents and grandparents can point to a name in the stadium and share personal memories with younger fans.

If you live in Atlanta, are visiting for a weekend, or are just trying to understand what the “Atlanta Falcons Ring of Honor” actually means, it’s essentially the city’s hallway of football legends, on display every time the team runs out onto the field at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.