Jeff Van Note, the longtime Atlanta Falcons center and six-time Pro Bowl selection, died on October 2, 2026, at the age of 80. The Atlanta Falcons announced his death Friday, remembering him as one of the most important players in franchise history. The University of Kentucky also confirmed his death and described him as a major figure in Kentucky football.
Van Note spent his entire 18-season NFL career with Atlanta after being selected in the 11th round of the 1969 NFL Draft. Originally drafted as a linebacker, he moved to center after arriving in Atlanta and eventually became one of the most durable and decorated offensive linemen in Falcons history.
Latest Update on Jeff Van Note
As of October 3, 2026, Jeff Van Note’s death has been confirmed by the Atlanta Falcons, the University of Kentucky and multiple major news organizations. He was 80 years old.
The Falcons said Van Note played 18 seasons for the organization, from 1969 through 1986. During that time, he made six Pro Bowls, earned two second-team All-Pro selections and played 246 games, starting 225 of them according to the Falcons’ official account.
The cause of death has not been publicly announced. The Associated Press and NFL.com both reported that the Falcons did not provide a cause of death when announcing his passing.
Who Was Jeff Van Note?
Jeff Van Note was an American professional football player best known for his 18-season career as a center for the Atlanta Falcons.
His career was unusual because he was not initially drafted to play center. The Falcons selected him as a linebacker in the 11th round of the 1969 NFL Draft after his college career at the University of Kentucky.
Falcons head coach Norm Van Brocklin moved Van Note to center, where he eventually became a starter. He earned the starting job in 1970 and remained a central part of Atlanta’s offensive line for the next 17 seasons.
Van Note’s longevity became one of his defining achievements. He played 246 regular-season games and missed only four games during his entire NFL career, according to the Falcons and Kentucky Athletics.
Jeff Van Note Early Life
Jeffrey Aloysius Van Note was born on February 7, 1946, in South Orange, New Jersey.
His family later lived in Michigan and Illinois before Van Note attended St. Joseph Preparatory School in Bardstown, Kentucky. At St. Joseph Prep, he played football, basketball and baseball and earned all-conference honors in all three sports, according to Kentucky Athletics.
His athletic background eventually led him to the University of Kentucky, where he established himself as a versatile football player before entering the professional ranks.
Jeff Van Note Education and Kentucky Career
Van Note attended the University of Kentucky from 1965 through 1968.
He played fullback on Kentucky’s freshman team before moving to defensive end on the varsity squad. He played three seasons of varsity football from 1966 through 1968.
In 1966, he earned second-team All-Southeastern Conference honors. In his senior season, he was named Kentucky’s Most Valuable Senior. He also played in the Blue-Gray All-Star Game following his senior season.
Decades later, Kentucky continued to honor Van Note’s contribution to the program. He was inducted into the University of Kentucky Athletics Hall of Fame, and the school retired his jersey.
Jeff Van Note NFL Draft
The Atlanta Falcons selected Van Note in the 11th round of the 1969 NFL Draft. He was the 262nd overall selection according to Kentucky Athletics.
The late-round selection did not prevent him from building one of the longest careers of any player from that draft class.
Van Note originally reported to Atlanta as a linebacker. Norm Van Brocklin, however, believed he could make a greater contribution at center. That position change became the foundation of Van Note’s professional career.
Jeff Van Note Atlanta Falcons Career
Van Note played every NFL season of his career with the Atlanta Falcons.
He became a starting center in 1970 and remained with the organization until his retirement following the 1986 season. During his 18 years, he played in 246 games and started either 225 or 226 depending on the statistical source and classification of starts. The Falcons’ official account lists 225 starts, while other official and major media records list 226.
That difference does not change the broader record: Van Note was an exceptionally durable player who spent nearly two decades at the center of the Falcons’ offensive line.
He earned six Pro Bowl selections during his career and was named second-team All-Pro by the Associated Press in 1979 and 1982.
Jeff Van Note Pro Bowl Career
Van Note’s six Pro Bowl selections came in 1974, 1975, 1979, 1980, 1981 and 1982.
His repeated selection demonstrated his standing among NFL offensive linemen during the period. His two AP second-team All-Pro selections further recognized his performance at center.
His professional career was also defined by durability. Missing only four games over 18 seasons became one of the statistics most frequently associated with his legacy.
Jeff Van Note Retirement
Van Note retired from professional football in 1986 after 18 seasons with Atlanta.
His final home game at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium became a memorable moment. The Falcons honored him during his final home appearance and presented him with a 1957 Chevrolet, according to historical accounts of his career.
Van Note’s connection to the franchise continued long after his playing career ended. In 1991, during the Falcons’ 25th Anniversary season, fans voted him the franchise’s all-time favorite player.
Jeff Van Note Broadcasting Career
Retirement from the NFL did not mean retirement from football.
Van Note moved into broadcasting and became a familiar voice on Atlanta sports radio and Falcons programming. He worked as a color commentator during the 1990s and early 2000s and also contributed to Falcons pregame and postgame coverage.
His broadcasting career also included the University of Kentucky. Kentucky Athletics says he served as an analyst on the UK Radio Network from 1994 through 2001.
He also called games involving Georgia Tech and the Tennessee Oilers, the franchise that later became the Tennessee Titans.
Former Kentucky broadcaster Tom Leach remembered Van Note as both an accomplished analyst and a humble colleague. Kentucky Athletics described Van Note as someone who deeply valued his time with the school and his role on its radio network.
Jeff Van Note Falcons Ring of Honor
Van Note was inducted into the Atlanta Falcons Ring of Honor in 2006.
The honor placed him among the most significant figures in franchise history. His 18 seasons, six Pro Bowls and remarkable durability made him a long-standing symbol of the organization’s early and middle years.
The Falcons continued to recognize his importance after his playing career, and his connection to Atlanta remained strong through his broadcasting work and appearances around the team.
Jeff Van Note Hall of Fame Honors
Van Note’s honors extended beyond the Falcons.
- Six-time Pro Bowl selection
- Two-time Associated Press second-team All-Pro
- Atlanta Falcons Ring of Honor
- Georgia Sports Hall of Fame
- University of Kentucky Athletics Hall of Fame
- University of Kentucky retired jersey honoree
- Two-time All-NFC recognition
- 1991 Falcons 25th Anniversary fan-selected favorite player
Kentucky Athletics specifically described him as one of the legends of Kentucky football and noted that his NFL achievements became a major part of the school’s football heritage.
Jeff Van Note Family
Van Note is survived by his children Beau, Ben and Blaine, according to a statement from Falcons owner and chairman Arthur Blank. The Falcons extended their condolences to Van Note’s children and others grieving his death.
Publicly available reports do not provide enough consistently verified information about his wider family to document every relative in this article. Details about his spouse and other relatives should therefore be handled carefully unless confirmed by an obituary or family statement.
Jeff Van Note Age
Jeff Van Note was 80 years old when he died on October 2, 2026.
He was born February 7, 1946, in South Orange, New Jersey. His death came several months after his 80th birthday.
Jeff Van Note Cause of Death
Jeff Van Note’s cause of death has not been publicly disclosed.
The Atlanta Falcons confirmed his death but did not provide a cause. NFL.com and the Associated Press likewise reported that the team had not announced the cause of death.
This means claims linking his death to a particular illness, injury, accident or medical condition should not be presented as fact without a subsequent statement from his family or an authoritative source.
Jeff Van Note Legacy
Van Note’s legacy is closely connected to the development of the Atlanta Falcons as an NFL franchise.
He joined the organization only three years after the Falcons began play and remained with the team through 1986. During that period, the franchise experienced major changes in coaches, teammates and playing styles, while Van Note remained a constant presence on the offensive line.
The Falcons described him as a player whose contribution went beyond statistics. Owner Arthur Blank said Van Note helped shape the identity of the organization and remained an important part of the team’s history.
His longevity is especially significant. Playing 18 seasons for one NFL franchise was unusual, and his four missed games over that entire career became one of the clearest measures of his durability.
Jeff Van Note Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Jeffrey Aloysius Van Note |
| Born | February 7, 1946 |
| Birthplace | South Orange, New Jersey |
| Died | October 2, 2026 |
| Age at death | 80 |
| Position | Center |
| College | University of Kentucky |
| NFL Draft | 1969, 11th round |
| NFL team | Atlanta Falcons |
| NFL career | 1969–1986 |
| NFL seasons | 18 |
| Games played | 246 |
| Pro Bowls | 6 |
| All-Pro | Second-team AP All-Pro in 1979 and 1982 |
| Falcons Ring of Honor | Inducted in 2006 |
| Children | Beau, Ben and Blaine |
| Cause of death | Not publicly disclosed |
| Latest update | October 3, 2026 |
Reader Questions
Who was Jeff Van Note?
Jeff Van Note was a longtime Atlanta Falcons center who played 18 NFL seasons with the organization. He was a six-time Pro Bowl selection and later entered the Falcons Ring of Honor.
When did Jeff Van Note die?
Jeff Van Note died on October 2, 2026, at the age of 80. The Atlanta Falcons announced his death that day.
How old was Jeff Van Note when he died?
Jeff Van Note was 80 years old when he died. He was born February 7, 1946.
What was Jeff Van Note’s cause of death?
His cause of death has not been publicly disclosed. The Falcons announced his death without identifying a cause, and the Associated Press reported that no cause had been announced.
How long did Jeff Van Note play for the Falcons?
Van Note played 18 seasons for the Atlanta Falcons, from 1969 through 1986. He spent his entire NFL career with Atlanta.
How many Pro Bowls did Jeff Van Note make?
Jeff Van Note was selected to six Pro Bowls. His selections came during the 1970s and early 1980s.
Was Jeff Van Note in the Falcons Ring of Honor?
Yes. The Atlanta Falcons inducted Van Note into their Ring of Honor in 2006.
Where did Jeff Van Note go to college?
Van Note attended the University of Kentucky. He played football for the Wildcats from 1965 through 1968 and later became a member of the Kentucky Athletics Hall of Fame.
Who are Jeff Van Note’s children?
Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank identified Van Note’s children as Beau, Ben and Blaine in his statement following Van Note’s death.
What position did Jeff Van Note play?
Van Note became best known as a center. He was originally drafted by Atlanta as a linebacker before coach Norm Van Brocklin moved him to center.
Wrap-Up
Jeff Van Note’s death marks the passing of one of the longest-serving and most recognizable players in Atlanta Falcons history. He played 18 seasons for the franchise, made six Pro Bowls, earned two second-team All-Pro selections and became a member of the team’s Ring of Honor.
His connection to football continued after his playing career. Van Note became a broadcaster for the Falcons and University of Kentucky, remaining involved in the sport and in the communities associated with his playing career.
As of October 3, 2026, his cause of death remains undisclosed. What is publicly established is his age, date of death and extraordinary football career, along with the family and organizations now remembering a player who spent nearly two decades representing Atlanta.
Disclaimer
DISCLAIMER: This obituary is based on information confirmed by the Atlanta Falcons, University of Kentucky Athletics, NFL.com, the Associated Press and other reputable reports available as of October 3, 2026. Jeff Van Note’s cause of death had not been publicly disclosed at the time of publication. Any future family statement or official announcement may provide additional information. This article does not speculate about the cause of death or other private matters that have not been publicly verified.
