September 10, 2021 – ATLANTA, GA – The Atlanta Falcons have elevated the fan experience at Mercedes-Benz Stadium with the grand reveal of their redesigned Ring of Honor. This exclusive “Mercedes Ring,” as fans might affectionately call it due to its prominent location within the iconic Mercedes-Benz Stadium, was unveiled at a special private event, celebrating the Falcons legends and their enduring impact. The team has meticulously re-envisioned this dedicated space to not only honor current and future inductees into the esteemed Ring of Honor but also to vividly showcase their on-field achievements and their profound influence on both the National Football League and the Atlanta community.
Located within the Mercedes-Benz Stadium’s prestigious 100-yard club on the 300 level, this new “mercedes ring” location is designed as an immersive walkthrough experience for Falcons fans. It allows them to journey through the team’s rich history and deeply engage with the legacies of each honored player. The 100-yard club, one of the stadium’s premier spaces exclusively dedicated to the Atlanta Falcons, alongside the newly updated tunnel-walk outside the Falcons locker room reflecting the 2020 brand identity, underscores the organization’s commitment to celebrating its heritage within Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The unveiling event was graced by prominent figures including Owner and Chairman Arthur M. Blank, team President Rich McKay, General Manager Terry Fontenot, Head Coach Arthur Smith, and CEO of AMB Sports and Entertainment Steve Cannon. Adding to the evening’s prestige were Ring of Honor inductees themselves: Georgia native and four-time Pro Bowler William Andrews, five-time Pro Bowler and two-time NFC Offensive Lineman of the Year Mike Kenn, and three-time Pro Bowler and Falcons all-time leading rusher Gerald Riggs. Also in attendance were five-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro Jessie “The Hammer” Tuggle, four-time Pro Bowler and All-Pro Roddy White, and six-time Pro Bowler Jeff Van Note. Rounding out the honored guests were 1975’s No. 1 overall draft pick and Rookie of the Year Steve Bartkowski, family members representing the legacy of six-time Pro Bowler and Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Claude Humphrey, and family members of the cherished five-time Pro Bowler and “Mr. Falcon” Tommy Nobis.
Further enriching the Ring of Honor legacy are inductees Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award recipient, Warrick Dunn, and the electrifying eight-time Pro Bowler, six-time All-Pro Deion “Prime Time” Sanders, though they were not present at this particular event.
“This new location for our Ring of Honor, this ‘mercedes ring’ experience, represents a significant investment in elevating our fan experience,” stated McKay. He emphasized the integral role of fan feedback in the Ring of Honor selection process, highlighting this space as a dedicated area for fans to connect with their honored inductees and delve deeper into the Falcons’ storied heritage within Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Since its inception in 2004, the Falcons organization has utilized the Ring of Honor to pay tribute to key figures who have indelibly shaped the team’s history and fostered a meaningful connection with fans. In this reimagined “mercedes ring” setting, each column dedicated to a player offers an in-depth career overview, comprehensive player statistics, insights into their community impact and activism, and details of their post-football career endeavors. This ensures that the “mercedes ring” serves as a comprehensive and engaging tribute to these Falcons icons within the state-of-the-art Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Click here for video and photos of the new Ring of Honor location and event.
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a distinguished professional American football club competing in the National Football League (NFL). The team’s state-of-the-art headquarters and training facilities are situated on a sprawling 50-acre campus in Flowery Branch, Georgia. Established as an NFL expansion franchise in 1965, the Falcons were acquired in 2002 by current owner Arthur Blank, co-founder of Home Depot. Under Blank’s visionary leadership, the Falcons have ascended to become one of the NFL’s preeminent organizations, both on the field and in the community. For more comprehensive information, please visit www.atlantafalcons.com.
