Tommy Nobis moves in during an early Atlanta Falcons game. Chosen first overall in the 1966 NFL Draft, Nobis became the first player in franchise history and spent 11 seasons with Atlanta, earning five Pro Bowl selections while establishing himself as the club's defensive leader of those early Falcon squads. The Giant here looks like Guard Pete Case.
Tommy Nobis from Texas. 11 seasons in Atlanta, 5 Pro Bowls and an All-Pro in 1967.
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.
The first player drafted by the Atlanta Falcons - Texas linebacker Tommy Nobis joined Atlanta in 1966 and made 5 Pro Bowls and 1 All Pro Team in his 11-year NFL career.
Second year man Lawrence McCutcheon got his chance to play in 1973 and turned in a incredible year for the Rams, 1097 rushing yards while averaging over 5 yards a carry. Made the Pro Bowl Second Team. Here he carries against the Falcons - Tommy Nobis and Tom Hayes are on either side of him.
Line backer Tommy Nobis of the Falcons gets to Browns quarterback Frank Ryan. Nobis, the 1965 Outland and Maxwell Award winner from Texas was the first player taken in the 1966 College draft by the expansion Atlanta Falcons (he was also chosen by the Oilers of the AFL). He chose the NFL and was a 5-time Pro Bowler and 1 Time All Pro during his 11-NFL career.
Tommy Nobis, rookie Falcons linebacker in 1966, stops a 49ers runner in his tracks. To the right are veterans Bill Jobko (#57) and Sam Williams (#88).
Rookie linebacker Tommy Nobis stands ready for the snap across from St. Louis Cardinal quarterback Terry Nofsinger in 1967.
Falcons Hall of Fame Tommy Nobis on the trail of New York Giants Tight End Aaron Thomas
Another example of a great player who played for a not-so-great team - Atlanta Falcons Linebacker Tommy Nobis.
Len Dawson gets a stare down from Falcons middle linebacker Tommy Nobis in early 1970s game between Atlanta and Kansas City.
Out of Texas - The first draft pick of the Atlanta Falcons in 1966. Tommy Nobis went on the play 11 seasons in the NFL, all with the Falcons. The 1966 Rookie of the Year, an All Pro in 1967 & 1968 and was named to 5 Pro Bowls. The general consensus among Old School NFL fans is he belongs in the Hall of Fame.
Middle Linebacker Tommy Nobis of the Atlanta Falcons.
Falcons 1-man wrecking crew Tommy Nobis steps up and puts the stop on Vikings fullback Bill Brown.
Chicago Bears great Gale Sayers (#40) gets wrapped up by Falcons linebacker Tommy Nobis (#60).
The Falcons first ever draft and the first taken overall when Atlanta joined the NFL in 1966 - Texas great Tommy Nobis.
Falcons great Tommy Nobis appears to have the upper hand in this engagement against an LA Rams offensive lineman in 1973. Also pictured is longtime Falcons defensive lineman Mike Lewis (#69).
Falcons veteran linebacker Tommy Nobis makes Rams tight end Bob Klein pay for a reception in 1972 Rams/Falcons action. Other Falcons pictured are Tony Plummer (#35) and Ray Brown (#34).
An on-field clash of NFL legends of the mid-60s. Falcons middle linebacker Tommy Nobis wraps up Colts runner Lenny Moore. Also pictured are Chuck Sieminski, #77 of the Falcons and Bob Vogel, #72 of the Colts.
In the 1971 or 1972 San Francisco 49ers Media Guide, Frank “Fudgehammer” Nunley was credited with 345 total tackles.
127 primary tackles and 218 assists.
That is the highest total I’ve ever seen credited to a player.
345 tackles – That’s a lot of tackles. Is that reference available anywhere on-line?