Falcons

Last update: 6/17/2024

Classic Falcons Logo History

The Falcons have had two falcon logos: the classic logo (1966-2002) and the modern logo (2003-present). However, there were many variations on the classic Falcons logo over the years. My research indicated six different classic logo helmets.

• 1966-89: Floating feather lines, V-neck
• 1985: Connected feather lines, V-neck. Note the two changes: 1) the lines on the feather now connect to the body and 2) the white line between the head and body has disappeared. There is evidence the Falcons continued to wear the 1984 helmet in 1985.
• 1990-96: Floating feather lines, V-neck. The same logo as the 1966-89 falcon, but a different color helmet (from red to black).
• 1997-2002: Connected feather lines, V-neck line. Note how the feather lines are connected for the first time since 1985.
• 2009-12 alternate/throwback: This throwback to the 1966-69 helmet is identical, except for the straight line between the head and arm.
• 2016-2021 alternate: This alternate “throwback” to the 1990-96 helmet is identical, except for the straight line between the head and the arm.

1966-69

This red Falcons helmet is in the Throwback Series 1 and Throwback 2-bar sets.

The 1969 two-bar Falcons pocket helmets have an interestingly anomaly. All 1969 2-bar helmets have the Riddell brand name on the back in all capital letters (RIDDELL). The 2-bar helmets from the 36-piece set display a different in half-cursive (RIDDell).

There are two versions of the 1969 Falcons helmets, one in all caps like all the other 1969 throwback helmets (RIDDELL) and the other with the cursive font (RIDDell). To my knowledge, the Falcons 1969 helmet is the only two helmets that display both versions of this font.

Riddell manufactured a speed version of this helmet as part of it’s 2024 limited edition series.

*All 1969 2-bar helmets have the Riddell brand name on the back in all capital letters (RIDDELL). The regular 2-bar helmets from the 36-piece set display a different in half-cursive (RIDDell). There are two versions of the 1969 Falcons helmets, one in all caps like all the other 1969 throwback helmets (RIDDELL) and the other with the cursive font (RIDDell). To my knowledge, the Falcons 1969 helmet is the only two helmets that display both versions of the font.

1970-77

In 1970, the gold stripe was removed. Otherwise, the helmet is the same as the previous year. This helmet is available in the Throwback Series 2 and Throwback NFL 1969 2-bar sets.

1978-89, 1985

Atlanta switched to a white facemask in 1978 and a black facemask in 1983. Everything else stayed the same. No official pocket pro exist for this style, although one could buy the throwback and attach a new facemask. The helmet with the white facemask was worn as a throwback in the 1994 season.

Fellow collector Steve Foster sent me an article with evidence the Falcons wore the 1985 helmet along with the 1984 in the same season. In at least one game, the Falcons wore both helmets. There is no official pocket pro for this helmet style.

1990-96 and 1997-02

In 1990, the Falcons transitioned to a black helmet and got rid of the stripes. The logo is the same. Riddell did not manufacture a factory helmet for this style.

In 1997, the Falcons changed the logo to connected feather lines. Riddell did officially make this helmet. It is in the traditional and chrome sets.

• 1990-96: Black helmet, black facemask, floating feather lines, V-neck – on the left – custom
• 1997-02: Black helmet, black facemask, connected feather lines, V-neck – two on the right – factory

2003-19

The present Falcons helmet is in the traditional, revolution, speed and chrome sets.

2020-Present

In 2020 the Falcons changed the facemask and the outline around the falcon to a chrome color. It’s available as a factory speed-style helmet.

Alternates and Throwbacks

The Falcons have worn the 2016-2021 helmet as a kind of throwback or alternate. It’s meant to honor the 1990-96 helmet. However, the neckline is slightly different. This helmet is not available as a factory helmet. I purchased this helmet as a custom on ebay from travistommark, who does really nice work.

The red helmet is a throwback to the 1966-69 helmet, albeit with a different neckline.

As part of the 2024 limited edition series, Riddell manufactured a 1966-69 throwback in the speed style. Interestingly, the logo on the speed helmet Riddell manufactured is accurate to what the Falcons actually wore in 1966-69.

However, the falcon on the helmet the Falcons actually wore in 2023 has a different neckline. This is why I don’t classify this “throwback” as a true throwback, but an “alternate throwback.” The difference may be so minor that many collectors may not care.

So, the Riddell pocket speed helmet references the 1966-69 falcon, but is not representative of the actual falcon on the helmet in 2022 (starting in 2009, actually).

Prototypes

The Falcons considered the red helmet in 1966 and white helmet in 1974.

Checklist

Last update: 6/17/2024

Years	Color	Facemask	Logo	Stripe	Pocket helmet
1966-69	Red	Grey	Floating feather lines, V-neck	Gold-white-black-white-gold	Throwback Series 1 Throwback 2-bar NFC 1969 – RIDDELL Throwback 2-bar NFC 1969 – RIDDell Speed – 2024 limited edition series
1970-77	Red	Grey	Floating feather lines, V-neck	White-black-white	Throwback Series 2 Throwback 2-bar
1978-82 1994 throwback	Red	White	Floating feather lines, V-neck	White-black-white	None
1983-89	Red	Black	Floating feather lines, V-neck	White-black-white	None
1985	Red	Black	Connected feather lines, V-neck, no white line between the head and the body	White-black-white	None
1990-96	Black	Black	Floating feather lines, V-neck	None	None
1997-2002	Black	Black	Connected feather lines, V-neck	None	Traditional Chrome
2003-19	Black	Black	Modern falcon	None	Chrome Traditional Revolution Speed
2020-present	Matte black	Chrome	Larger modern falcon with chrome outline	None	Speed
2009-12, 2022 throwback	Red	Grey	Floating feather lines, straight line between head and arm – different from 1966-69 helmet	Gold-white-black-white-gold	None
2016-21 alternate	Matte black	Black	Floating feather lines, straight neck line	None	None

*All 1969 2-bar helmets have the Riddell brand name on the back in all capital letters (RIDDELL). The regular 2-bar helmets from the 36-piece set display a different in half-cursive (RIDDell). There are two versions of the 1969 Falcons helmets, one in all caps like all the other 1969 throwback helmets (RIDDELL) and the other with the cursive font (RIDDell). To my knowledge, the Falcons helmet is the only two helmets that display both versions of the font.

References

• Helmet History.com, Atlanta Falcons
• Gridiron Uniform Database, Atlanta Falcons
• Chris Lukas, A Closer Look at Falcons’ Helmets Inconsistencies, Feb. 2016
• Image sources:
  • Getty Images. Image for reference only, not for commercial use. Detroit Lions v Atlanta Falcons ATLANTA, GA – OCTOBER 15: Greg Brezina #50 of the Atlanta Falcons in action against the Detroit Lions during an NFL football game October 15, 1978 at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Willard played for 49ers from 1965-73. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
  • Getty Images. Image for reference only, not for commercial use. TAMPA BAY, FL – DECEMBER 13: Darion Conner #56 of the Atlanta Falcons in action against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during an NFL Football game December 13, 1992 at Tampa Stadium in Tampa Bay, Florida. Conner played for the Falcons from 1990-93. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
  • Getty Images. Image for reference only, not for commercial use. PHILADELPHIA, PA – NOVEMBER 10: David Archer #16 of the Atlanta Falcons looks to pass the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles during an NFL football game on November 10, 1985 at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Archer played for the Falcons from 1984-87. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
  • Getty Images. Image for reference only, not for commercial use. 21 Sep 1997: Quarterback Steve Young #8 of the San Francisco 49ers and Terance Mathis #81 of the Atlanta Falcons talk to one another during a game at the 3Com Park in San Francisco, California. The 49ers defeated the Falcons 34-7. Mandatory Credit: Todd
  • Getty Images. Image for reference only, not for commercial use. 20 September 2009: An Atlanta Falcons throwback helmet in the Atlanta Falcons 28-20 victory over the Carolina Panthers at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Icon SMI/Corbis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
  • John Follett, Fansided, Atlanta Falcons “Back in Black” on Sunday vs San Francisco 49ers