15 Facts About Tommy Nobis

Tommy Nobis played college football for the Texas Longhorns, where he played as a linebacker and guard, and won the Maxwell Award in 1965.

Tommy Nobis was the first overall selection in the 1966 NFL draft.

Tommy Nobis was a member of Kappa Alpha Order fraternity at the university.

Tommy Nobis was a two-time All-American and made the All-Southwest Conference team three times.

Tommy Nobis was an iron man, playing on both defense and offense for his entire college career.

Tommy Nobis finished seventh in the Heisman voting to USC's Mike Garrett.

Tommy Nobis appeared on the covers of LIFE, Sports Illustrated and TIME magazines.

Tommy Nobis joined the Falcons for their inaugural season in 1966.

Tommy Nobis is a member of the Atlanta Falcons' Ring of Honor.

Tommy Nobis enjoyed a successful NFL career that many believe is worthy of Pro Football Hall of Fame induction.

Tommy Nobis was inducted into the Texas Longhorn Hall of Honor in 1976.

Tommy Nobis retired from the Falcons after 40 years as a member of the organization, in the front office and on the field.

Tommy Nobis died on December 13,2017, at home at age 74, with his wife by his side, after an extended illness.

On January 28,2019, researchers from Boston University confirmed that Tommy Nobis had the most severe form of chronic traumatic encephalopathy.

Tommy Nobis is one of at least 345 NFL players to be diagnosed after death with this disease, which is caused by repeated hits to the head.