Claude Humphrey – NFL Past Players

Claude Humphrey was one of the most dominant defensive ends of the 1970s. The Atlanta Falcons’ first-round draft pick in 1968 quickly became a premier NFL pass rusher, earning Defensive Rookie of the Year honors and multiple Pro Bowl selections before finishing his career with the Philadelphia Eagles.

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Claude Humphrey: Hall of Fame Falcons Pass Rusher

College and NFL Draft

Claude Humphrey All American defensive lineman at Tennessee State where he set school records for sacks. The Atlanta Falcons selected Humphrey in the first round (third overall) of the 1968 NFL Draft, as he was an immediate starter on that defensive front.

Atlanta Falcons Years (1968–1978)

Humphrey quickly became major component of the Falcons defense. In his rookie season in 1968 he recorded 11.5 sacks and was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Over the next decade he developed into one of the league’s top pass rushers tallying up almost 100 sacks. Humphrey started 127 games for Atlanta and consistently pressured opposing quarterbacks such as John Brodie, Roman Gabriel, and others throughout the NFC.

During his Falcons career he earned multiple Pro Bowl selections and All-Pro honors, establishing himself as one of the top defensive ends of the 1970s.

Philadelphia Eagles Years (1979–1981)

After ten seasons in Atlanta, Humphrey was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles where he played the last three seasons of his 13-year NFL career.

He remained a productive pass rusher, totaling 30 sacks during his time in Philadelphia and was part of the Eagles team that reached Super Bowl XV following the 1980 season. That season he had 15 sacks.

Hall of Fame

Claude Humphrey is widely regarded as one of the finest defensive players in Atlanta Falcons history. Starting all of 127 games in 10 seasons for the Falcons defense during the late 1960s and 1970s, he was selected Pro Bowler 6 times and All Pro twice. He is a member of the Atlanta franchise Ring of Honor.

Humphrey was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2014. He is still the Falcons All-Time Leading Sack Leader – Some accounts give him 94½ sacks, some 99½.

Image Gallery of Claude Humphrey, Defensive End, 1968-1981

The 1968 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, Falcon Claude Humphrey of Tennessee State had 11.5 sacks his first year in the league. Here he has Giant Tucker Fredrickson in his grasp.

A couple of Falcon defensive legends Claude Humphrey and Tommy Nobis combine to stop a Viking ball carrier. Word is this photo may be from the 1973 Monday Night game where Atlanta upset a 9-0 Minnesota team by the score of 20-14 and the Viking runner might be Ed Marinaro.

Some 1968 Falcons and Browns. Claude Humphrey goes up high while Bill Nelson gets the pass away to flanker Eppie Barney.

Saints runner James Ford finds himself in the grasp of Hall of Famer Claude Humphrey of the Falcons in this 1971 NFL action.

Falcons All Pro Defensive End Claude Humphrey wraps up Rams tight end Bob Klein around 1972.

Falcon defensive lineman Claude Humphrey puts the heat on Rams quarterback Roman Gabriel in the early 1970s. In 1971 Gabriel had 17 touchdowns and 2238 passing yards while Humphrey unofficially had 13 sacks.

Early 1970s Rams-Falcons. Atlanta lineman John Zook and Claude Humphrey close in and bring down Rams quarterback Roman Gabriel.

Falcons Hall of Famer Claude Humphrey (#87) wraps up Steelers Quarterback Dick Shiner (#17). After 10 seasons in Atlanta Humphrey is unofficially credited with 99½ sacks. That would put him #1 on the franchise All Time List if sacks before 1982 were official.

Falcon great Claude Humphrey puts the heat on 49er quarterback Joe Reed. in 10 seasons in Atlanta Humphrey is "unofficially" credited with 99½ sacks while there. That would rank as #1 in Falcons franchise history.

Played 11 seasons with the Falcons after being chosen as their #1 pick in 1968. Still ranks #1 on the Atlanta Falcons All Time Sack Leaders List with 99½ sacks in 127 games.

Putting the Pressure on Eagles Quarterback Mike Boryla Started 127 games for Falcons. He was a first round pick by the Falcons in the 1968 NFL Draft and finished his 10-year career with the Falcons as the team's all-time sack leader in franchise history with 94.5. His 1976 season of 15 sacks ranks 3rd in Atlanta annals for most sacks in a single season. Is currently tied for the franchise lead with six Pro Bowl selections including five straight from 1970-74. Led the team in sacks 8 times.

After 10 seasons with the Falcons he was traded to Eagles where he finished the last 3 seasons of his career. unofficially had 14½ sacks in 1980 helping the Eagles the Super Bowl that year. Again it's 'unofficial" but he is credited with 122 sacks and 2 safeties during his time between the Falcons and Eagles. Named to the Hall of Fame in 2014.

Shown in Super Bowl XV against the Oakland Raiders. After 10 seasons with the Falcons he was traded to Eagles where he finished the last 3 seasons of his career. unofficially had 14½ sacks in 1980 helping the Eagles the Super Bowl that year. Again it's 'unofficial" but he is credited with 122 sacks and 2 safeties during his time between the Falcons and Eagles. Named to the Hall of Fame in 2014.

Has the most sacks in Falcon team history with 94½. Recorded 2 safeties as well.

Putting pressure on John Brodie of the 49ers. An All-American at Tennessee State he was the Falcons 1st-round draft pick of 1968. Named the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1968. Remained with the Falcons until 1977 making 6 Pro Bowls and 2 All Pro Teams. Selected to the Falcons Ring of Honor in 2008.

Claude Humphrey Football Cards and Covers

Claude Humphrey All-Time Career Statistics

All-Time Regular Season Defensive Totals
								Forced Fumbles	Fumbles Recovered
Season	Age	Team	#	Pos	Games	Starts	Interceptions	Forced Fumbles	Fumbles Recovered	TDs	Sacks	Safeties
1968‡	24	ATL	87	LDE	14	14	0		3	0	11.5	0
1969	25	ATL	87	LDE	14	14	0		1	1	10.5	0
1970*	26	ATL	87	LDE	12	12	1		1	0	10.0	0
1971*	27	ATL	87	LDE	14	14	0		0	0	13.0	0
1972*+	28	ATL	87	LDE	14	14	0		2	0	6.0	1
1973*+	29	ATL	87	LDE	14	14	1		1	0	11.0	0
1974*	30	ATL	87	LDE	14	14	0		1	0	12.5	0
1975	31	Out for Season with Knee Injury
1976	32	ATL	87	LDE	13	13	0		1	0	14.5	1
1977*	33	ATL	87	LDE	14	14	0		0	0	9.5	0
1978	34	ATL	87	DE	4	4	0	2	1	0	1.0	0
1979	35	PHI	87	LDE	16	16	0	0	0	0	11.0	0
1980	36	PHI	87	DE	16	1	0	2	0	0	15.5	0
1981	37	PHI	87	DE	12	4	0	1	0	0	4.0	0
10 seasons Falcons					127	127	2	2	11	1	99.5	2
3 seasons Eagles					44	21	0	3	0	0	30.5	0
13 Year NFL Career					171	148	2	5	11	1	130.0	2

All-Time Post Season Defensive Totals
					Interceptions	Forced Fumbles	Fumbles Recovered	TDs	Sacks	Safeties
Season	Age	Team	Games	Starts	Interceptions	Forced Fumbles	Fumbles Recovered	TDs	Sacks	Safeties
1979	35	PHI	2	2	0	0	0	0	0.0	0
1980	36	PHI	3	0	0	0	0	0	1.0	0
1981	37	PHI	1	0		0	0	0
Post Season Total with Eagles			6	2	0	0	0	0	1.0	0