The North American Sports Almanac: Atlanta Falcons

First things first: It’s never good when the most famous game in team history is a loss. “28-3” has also transcended similar franchise-shattering setbacks in that it is remembered more as farce than tragedy. The ball going through Bill Buckner’s legs was a tragedy. Blowing a 28-3 second half lead against Bill Belichick and Tom Brady was somehow just funny. How do you let that happen? With lots of practice. The Falcons have never won a Super Bowl. The best player in franchise history was the fifth or sixth best quarterback of his era. The most famous player in franchise history, Deion Sanders, is better remembered playing for a different team. The most important player in franchise history spent his athletic peak, ages 27 and 28, in federal prison. Again, how do you let that happen? There are no good answers. The Falcons at least have infamy. Many NFL teams are still struggling for fame of any kind. Things always seem capable of getting weirder in Atlanta. That will include the day this most cursed of franchises finally lifts a Lombardi.