Sports Memorabilia
![A mini helmet autographed by Tommy Nobis (hall of fame Falcon from 1960-70s)](/img/auction/noimage_336.255-eecc340f6d15951d14648ebed3f774d1.jpg)
A mini helmet autographed by Tommy Nobis (hall of fame Falcon from 1960-70s)
- Item Number
- 116
- Estimated Value
- Priceless
- Opening Bid
- 67 USD
Item Description
Tommy Nobis, Linebacker/Guard
Texas, 1963-1965
When you think about Texas Longhorn football greats, Earl Campbell and Ricky Williams will most likely be the players who immediately come to mind. It's an arguable point, but we think linebacker Tommy Nobis was even better.
As the rock on a national championship team and "the best two-way player" Darrell Royal ever coached, Nobis was something truly special. He made dramatic game-saving and championship winning plays as an active a tackler as college football had ever seen and a great guard on offense.
As a linebacker, Nobis averaged 20 tackles per game during his career with an ability to run down any ball carrier. On offense, he was one of the top blockers on one of the nation's most devastating running teams.
In 1965, Tommy Nobis became the first player ever drafted by the expansion Atlanta Falcons as well as the first linebacker to be chosen first overall when he was taken with the #1 pick in the 1966 NFL Draft on November 27, 1965.
Tommy Nobis joined the Falcons for their inaugural season in 1966. That season he won the league's NFL Rookie of the Year, was voted to the Pro Bowl and amassed an unprecedented 294 combined tackles which still stands today as the team's all-time single-season record. In eleven professional seasons he led the Falcons in tackles nine times, went to five Pro Bowls (one in 1972 after two knee surgeries), was named All-Pro twice and was chosen for the NFL's "All-Decade Team" for the 1960's. Miami Dolphins great, running back Larry Csonka commented, "I'd rather play against Dick Butkus than Nobis," and Falcon's coach Norm Van Brocklin once pointed to Nobis' locker and proclaimed, "There's where our football team dresses."
From Mark Jones.
Donated By:
Mark Jones
![](/img/spontrk.gif?url=&oid=15443525&aid=46127987&iid=46895871&did=47402083&kid=&sc=ItemDetail)
Crossroads Community Ministries stores data...
Your support matters, so Crossroads Community Ministries would like to use your information to keep in touch about things that may matter to you. If you choose to hear from Crossroads Community Ministries, we may contact you in the future about our ongoing efforts.
Your privacy is important to us, so Crossroads Community Ministries will keep your personal data secure and Crossroads Community Ministries will not use it for marketing communications which you have not agreed to receive. At any time, you may withdraw consent by emailing Privacy@frontstream.com or by contacting our Privacy Officer. Please see our Privacy Policy found here PrivacyPolicy.