Jeff Van Note, the former Atlanta Falcons center who dedicated more than a decade to the NFL, died on October 2, 2026, at age 80. His death marks the passing of a player known for his longevity and steady presence during the franchise’s early years.
Born Jeffrey Aloysius Van Note in South Orange, New Jersey, he played college football at the University of Kentucky for the Wildcats before the Falcons selected him in the 11th round of the 1969 NFL draft. The 1969 draft saw Van Note picked just before the league expanded further into the 12th round, but he would go on to have a career that defied expectations for an 11th-round pick.