For much of Jeff Van Note’s 18-season NFL career with the Atlanta Falcons, winning was hardly the norm in Atlanta. The franchise endured 13 losing seasons and six head-coaching changes during the first two decades, with only three playoff appearances. Through all that instability, Van Note remained the constant, anchoring the team’s offensive line from 1970 onward until his retirement.
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He ultimately played 246 games for Atlanta, starting in 225 and missing just four games across an 18-year run. In the process, the Falcons legend earned six Pro Bowl selections. Even as coaches, teammates, and fortunes changed around him, Van Note stayed, becoming a symbol of the franchise’s formative years and eventually earning a place in its Ring of Honor in 2006.
Now, Atlanta is mourning the loss of that enduring figure. Jeff Van Note has died at the age of 80.
“A legacy that will live on forever in Falcons history,” the Falcons wrote on X. “We send our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Jeff Van Note.”
Atlanta drafted Jeff Van Note in the 11th round of the 1969 NFL Draft out of Kentucky. Initially a linebacker, Von Note later shifted to the center position under head coach Norm Van Brocklin. His draft stock was certainly modest, but that didn’t stop him from becoming one of the finest at his position in the league.
As the news of Van Note’s death shocked the league, the Falcons’ owner and chairman Arthur M. Blank released a statement.
“We mourn the loss of a true Falcons legend,” Blank wrote. “Jeff Van Note dedicated 18 seasons to this franchise and became one of the most respected and beloved players in our history. He embodied toughness, resilience, humility, and an unwavering commitment to his team, qualities that earned him the admiration of generations of Falcons fans.
“Jeff’s contributions to this organization cannot be measured solely by his accomplishments on the field. He helped shape the identity of the Atlanta Falcons and left a legacy that will endure for years to come. We are grateful for everything he meant to this franchise and our community. On behalf of the Falcons family, we extend our deepest sympathies to his children, Beau, Ben and Blaine, and all who are grieving this tremendous loss. Jeff will always hold a special place in the history and heart of the Atlanta Falcons.”
Van Note retired from professional football following the 1986 season. Subsequently, he transitioned into broadcasting, where he served as a color commentator on the Falcons and Kentucky football broadcasts in the 1990s and early 2000s. After the 2003 season, however, he gave up broadcasting before returning in 2004.
However, even after stepping away from the broadcast booth, Van Note remained closely connected to the game and the communities where he had built his life. His passing now closes another chapter in the story of the Falcons’ early years.