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. During the 1969 season, Jeff played minor league football with the Alabama (Huntsville) Hawks of the Continental Football League.
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.
Read more about this topic: Jeff Van Note
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