The Atlanta Falcons still haven't won a Super Bowl, but they have had a rich history, and a few times they were close to winning it all.
If the Falcons wouldn't have blown a 28-3 lead against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LI, that entire team would have been legendary, but instead, they are remembered for all the wrong reasons.
Even so, there are still a few players from that list who are among the biggest legends in Falcons history. Let's take a look at the five biggest legends in team history.
5. Michael Vick
Michael Vick is a complicated case, but he still deserves a spot on this list. Vick was selected first overall by the Falcons in the 2001 NFL Draft. Vick lived up to all the expectations on the field, and every time he played he was must-watch television. During the 2006 season, he threw for 2,474 yards and 20 touchdowns. He also rushed for 1,039 yards and two touchdowns.
Off the field is where it became complicated for Vick as he was involved in a dogfighting ring and spent time in prison as a result. What he did was terrible, but he served his time and has tried to be a better person. Despite his checkered past, he still comes in at No. 5 on this list.
4. Roddy White
Roddy White was drafted late in the first round of the 2005 draft and got off to a slow start to his career. In 2007 was when he really took off for the Falcons, catching 83 passes for 1,202 yards and six touchdowns. For six straight seasons, White finished with at least 1,000 yards receiving.
In his 11 seasons with the Falcons, White finished with 808 receptions for 10,853 yards and 63 touchdowns. White holds the Falcons records for most receiving yards in a half, most receptions in a playoff game, most receiving touchdowns in a career, most receptions in a career, most career starts for a wide receiver and most games played as a wide receiver.
3. Keith Brooking
The only defensive player that makes this list is Keith Brooking, who was selected 12th overall by the Falcons in the 1998 NFL Draft. Even during his rookie season, Brooking quickly became the leader of the defense.
Brooking played with the Falcons from 1998-2008. For three seasons in a row, between 2001-03, Brooking racked up at least 100 tackles. When most people think of the Falcons' best defensive players, the first person that comes to mind is either Deion Sanders or Brooking. Brooking had the longer career with the team, however, which lands him a spot on this list.
2. Julio Jones
Julio Jones has been an absolute game-changer for the Falcons franchise. Jones was drafted sixth overall by the Falcons in the 2011 draft. Being drafted that high puts a lot of pressure on a player, but Jones has lived up to everything that comes with being a first-round draft pick.
Year after year, Jones has been quarterback Matt Ryan's favorite target. Jones' best season came in 2015 when he caught 136 passes for 1,871 yards and eight touchdowns. Jones owns 18 different NFL records and 17 different Falcons team records, including the most receiving yards in team history.
1. Matt Ryan
Matt Ryan was just one or two play calls away in the second half of Super Bowl LI to leading the team to their first championship. Even though the Falcons weren't able to win that game, he is the biggest legend in the team's history. Ryan was drafted third-overall by the Falcons in the 2008 draft and “Matty Ice” has led the team to a lot of success. Ryan has a 109-80 regular-season record and a 4-6 record during the playoffs. During the 2016 season, he threw for 4.994 yards and 38 touchdowns.
Ryan has six NFL records and 15 Falcons team records, including most wins for a quarterback.
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