Rankin Smith served as president of the Life Insurance Company of Georgia from 1970 to 1976.
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10 Facts About Rankin Smith
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Rankin Smith was the founding owner of the National Football League's Atlanta Falcons.
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3.
Rankin Smith ascended to the position of president and chairman of the board in 1970.
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4.
Rankin Smith died on October 26,1997, from complications resulting from heart failure.
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5.
Rankin Smith secured exclusive rights to Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium, where the Falcons began play in 1966 and played there for 26 seasons.
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Rankin Smith was instrumental in the construction of the Falcons' next stadium, the Georgia Dome, threatening to move the Falcons elsewhere if a new stadium was not built.
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8.
Rankin Smith continued to manage day-to-day operations of the team until 1990, when he turned control of the team over to his son Taylor Rankin Smith.
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9.
Rankin Smith was extremely generous and made significant donations to causes in and around Atlanta, a tradition his estate continued after his death.
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10.
Rankin Smith was a major contributor to the Fernbank Museum of Natural History.
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