Hall of Fame center Jeff Van Note passed away earlier this week at the age of 80, after enjoying an incredible football career.
Van Note spent his college career at Kentucky, where he played running back and defensive end from 1966 to 1969. He was named Second-team All-SEC in 1966.
He was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the 11th round of the 1969 NFL Draft and was moved to the center position. He spent all 18 years of his NFL career with the Falcons. He was named to the Pro Bowl six times, while also being named Second-Team All-Pro in 1979 and 1982. He was one of the toughest players to ever play in the NFL, as he missed only four games throughout his career. He started 225 games for the Falcons, which trails only Mike Kenn in franchise history.
In 2006, he was put into the Falcons’ ring of honor.
After his playing career, he was the color commentator for both Kentucky and the Falcons’ broadcasts. He did that through the 1990’s, before eventually giving up the positions in 2003. After that, he would fill in for various broadcasts.
