Atlanta Falcons: Top 5 QBs of All-Time

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Steve Bartkowski. 2. player. 44. . QB 1975-1985. California

Steve Bartkowski is the only Atlanta Falcons QB to have his name in the Falcons Ring of Honor. Bart was the epitome of a franchise quarterback perhaps before the term was ever coined. The Falcons took Bartkowski first overall in the 1975 NFL draft out of Cal-Berkley. From Day One, Bart was a franchise leading quarterback.

Bart led the Falcons to its first three playoff berths (1978, 1980, and 1982). A two-time Pro Bowler (1980-81) owned just about every single Falcons franchise passing record by the time he left Atlanta after the 1985 year to go play for the St. Louis Rams.

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Even 30 years after he last played a snap for the Falcons, Bartkowski is 2nd all-time in completions (1,871), attempts (3,330), yards (23,470), and touchdown passes (154). Keep in mind that he played in a run-centric era for a team that rarely made the playoffs. Those numbers of his are as impressive as his longevity with the team. Bart played 11 seasons in the red and black for the Atlanta Falcons.

What people remember the most about Steve Bartkowski are the pair of Hail Mary touchdown passes he threw in the prime of his career, known as Big Ben Right I and II. BBRI came against the arch rival New Orleans Saints back in 1978 to clip the Saints 20-17. BBRII came a few years later against then rival San Francisco 49ers when Billy “White Shoes” Johnson broke the Niners’ hearts in 1980.

In an era of strong passers across football, Steve Bartkowski often gets overlooked because he didn’t normally play for a contending team. But I do think he could have won either Dallas, Oakland, or Pittsburgh a Super Bowl in the late 70’s, early 80’s had the stars been aligned differently for Bart. Though I am too young to have seen Steve Bartkowski play for the Atlanta Falcons, I appreciate listening to any story I hear about Bart and respect his place in my favorite NFL teams’ historical fabric.

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Atlanta Falcons: Top 5 QBs of All Time

By John Buhler | Jul 8, 2015