
Ken Willard carries against Tommy Nobis Atlanta Falcons

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.
Tommy Nobis on the Falcons Practice Field

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.
Lawrence McCutcheon carries against Tommy Nobis and the Atlanta Falcons in 1973

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 gets a hit on Frank Ryan

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).
Tommy Nobis, Falcons Rookie Linebacker in 1966

Rookie linebacker Tommy Nobis stands ready for the snap across from St. Louis Cardinal quarterback Terry Nofsinger in 1967.
Tommy Nobis, Falcons and Terry Nofsinger of the Cardinals

Falcons Hall of Fame Tommy Nobis on the trail of New York Giants Tight End Aaron Thomas
Falcons linebacker Tommy Nobis after Giants Tight End Aaron Thomas in 1968

Another example of a great player who played for a not-so-great team - Atlanta Falcons Linebacker Tommy Nobis.
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.
Tommy Nobis of the Falcons stares down Len Dawson of the Chiefs

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.
Tommy Nobis, the First Draft Pick of the Atlanta Falcons

Middle Linebacker Tommy Nobis of the Atlanta Falcons.
Tommy Nobis

Falcons 1-man wrecking crew Tommy Nobis steps up and puts the stop on Vikings fullback Bill Brown.
Tommy Nobis of the Falcons stops Bill Brown of the Vikings -1966 NFL

Chicago Bears great Gale Sayers (#40) gets wrapped up by Falcons linebacker Tommy Nobis (#60).
Tommy Nobis of the Falcons and Gale Sayers of the Bears -1960s NFL

The Falcons first ever draft and the first taken overall when Atlanta joined the NFL in 1966 - Texas great Tommy Nobis.
Falcons Middle Linebacker 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).
Tommy Nobis in 1973, Falcons vs Rams

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).
Linebacker Tommy Nobis stops Bob Klein of the Rams in 1972

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.
Tommy Nobis of the Falcons Tackles the Colts Lenny Moore

Tommy Nobis NFL Middle Linebacker

Tommy Nobis and Greg Brezina Falcon Linebackers

Tommy Nobis Atlanta Falcons

An Injured Tommy Nobis

Falcons Great Tommy Nobis
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?