Falcons legend and six-time Pro Bowler Jeff Van Note dead at 80

Legendary Falcons center Jeff Van Note has died at age 80.

The six-time Pro Bowler played his entire 18-year career in Atlanta, starting 226 of the 246 games he played in, and was inducted into the Falcons Ring of Honor in 2006.

No cause of death has been shared.

“We mourn the loss of a true Falcons legend,” team owner Arthur Blank said in a team statement. “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 was an 11th-round selection in 1969 out of Kentucky and originally a linebacker before head coach Norm Van Brocklin moved him to center, where Van Note earned the starting position in 1970.

He was twice a Second-Team All-Pro selection by the AP and missed just four games in his career.

Upon retiring, Van Note moved over to media, serving as a color commentator during the 1990s and early 2000s, making appearances on Atlanta sports radio.

He was inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in 1999.