Book chronicles little known facts about the Atlanta Falcons

Are you a die-hard Falcons fan? Are you thinking about jumping on the band wagon as they head into the playoffs?  

Either way, the post season is a good time to bone up on some facts about the team. Here's a question: Why were they named the Falcons in the first place?

As the Falcons prepare for their franchise record fourth straight playoff appearance, it seems obvious that these are the best of times for Falcons fans.

But according to the book 100 Things Falcons Fans Should Know and Do Before They Die, which covers 47 years of Falcons history, co-author Ray Glier says the number one moment was easy.

"The Falcons, frankly, for 42 years or so didn't have a lot of big moments. Now they've got a lot in the last five years with Mike Smith and how things have gone out there. So, you pick the big moments and you immediately pick the biggest stage they've been on and it's the Super Bowl and that's number one in there," said Glier.

Before there was Matt Ryan and Tony Gonzalez, there were guys like Tommy Nobis, Jeff Van Note, and Deion Sanders. Each contributed to moments that are chronicled in the book, but it's not all nuts and bolts football. Number 100 recognizes the ultimate Falcons fan, Colonel Joe Curtis, who is nearing 100 years old.

"He's been to every game. He's got one of the lowest season ticket numbers of anybody at the Falcons, I think he's number 33 maybe, but he says ‘I don't know where numbers 1-32 are. I don't know where those folks are. I might be the only one left,'" said Glier.

Some of the stories Falcons fans will know, others probably not. Did you know Roddy White's mother may have saved the Falcons all-time leading receiver's NFL career?

"He was a partier his first couple of years in Atlanta, and he almost partied his way out of the NFL. And he told me his mother threatened to come into town and set up shop and get him on the straight and narrow and he said, ‘No, I got this mama, I got this,'" said Glier.

The book contains almost a half century of moments and memories, but it's hard not to get the sense that some of the best memories for the team are yet to come.

For the record, a Henry County school teacher named Julia Elliott was declared the winner in a Name the Team radio contest. Her entry said the falcon is proud and dignified and never drops its prey. Some other names in consideration were Fireballs, Lancers, and Vibrants.  

Can you imagine the Atlanta Vibrants?