If the Atlanta Falcons knew what they had when they selected Brett Favre with the 33rd overall pick in the 1991 NFL Draft, he may have turned out to be the best selection in franchise history.
Instead, he played in only two games for the team in 1991, throwing two interceptions in just four pass attempts. It was a sub-optimal start to what would become a Hall of Fame career, and the only of Favre's four teams where he didn't have some level of success.
After the 1991 season, Favre was dealt to the Green Bay Packers, where he would throw for 442 touchdown passes in 16 seasons, cementing himself as one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history. The Falcons received a first-round pick for Favre, using it to select running back Tony Smith, who lasted just three years in the league.
Even though Favre's time in Atlanta wasn't memorable, the success he would have after leaving the Falcons makes it hard to forget where he began his career at. But while you may not have forgotten about Favre's time with the Falcons, we're willing to bet that it may have slipped your mind that these five notable players spent time with the franchise:
Byron Leftwich
Byron Leftwich spent a season in Atlanta.(Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)Leftwich, the No. 7 overall pick in the 2003 NFL Draft, had some level of success in his four seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars, but ultimately lost his starting job to David Garrard. After the Falcons suddenly found themselves without Michael Vick for the 2007 season, they signed Leftwich as another option at quarterback, along with Joey Harrington and Chris Redman. In parts of three games, Leftwich threw one touchdown to two interceptions. Notably, after his one year in Atlanta, he joined the Pittsburgh Steelers, whose offensive coordinator was Bruce Arians. Arians would eventually hire Leftwich as his offensive coordinator in Tampa Bay, a decision that led to the team winning Super Bowl LV.
Joe Horn
Joe Horn had a brief stint with the Falcons.(Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images)By the time Horn landed in Atlanta for the 2007 season, Falcons fans were well aware of who he was. After beginning his career in Kansas City, Horn spent seven seasons with the New Orleans Saints, making four Pro Bowls during that period. Horn signed a four-year/$15 million free-agent deal with the Falcons ahead of the 2007 campaign, but caught just 27 passes for 243 yards as a member of the team. Horn was released - and eventually retired - after the 2007 season, making you wonder why they thought signing a player entering his age-35 season to a four-year deal was smart.
Matt Prater
Matt Prater's time with the Falcons didn't last long.(Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)Prater has had an excellent career, spent primarily with the Denver Broncos and Detroit Lions. But prior to becoming one of the league's best power kickers, his career had a rocky start. Prater had stints with the Lions and Miami Dolphins organizations after playing collegiately at UCF. However, his first actual regular season action came with the Falcons in 2007, and it didn't go well. Prater made just one of his first four NFL field goal attempts, and was released after two games in Atlanta. Fortunately for him, he would end up in Denver before the end of the year, a place where he would play for parts of eight years.
Ike Reese
Ike Reese finished his career with the Falcons.(Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)Reese is beloved in Philadelphia, having spent the first seven seasons of his career with the Eagles. A Pro Bowler in 2004, Reese is now the afternoon show host on SportsRadio 94 WIP with Jon Marks, and, in our humble opinion, is excellent. His time in Atlanta wasn't quite as memorable, though, as after his best season in Philadelphia, he signed a deal to join the Falcons. Of the linebacker's 234 career solo tackles, just 46 came with the Falcons, the team he spent the final two seasons of his playing career with.
Asante Samuel
Asante Samuel finished his career with the Falcons.(Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)Speaking of former Eagles, Samuel became one of the sport's elite pass-jumping cornerbacks first as a member of the New England Patriots, and eventually with the Eagles as well. Samuel led the NFL in interceptions in 2006 and 2009, and was an All-Pro as part of the undefeated 2007 Patriots. The Eagles traded Samuel to the Falcons for a sixth-round pick before the 2012 season. While Atlanta was his least notable stop, Samuel did still have five interceptions in his first of two years with the Falcons.
Other Entries in This Series
- 5 Players You Forgot Played For The Chicago Bears
- 5 Players You Forgot Played For The Detroit Lions
- 5 Players You Forgot Played For The Cleveland Browns
- 5 Players You Forgot Played For The Philadelphia Eagles
- 5 Players You Forgot Played For The New York Giants
- 5 Players You Forgot Played For The New York Jets
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