On June 30, 1965, the National Football League awarded the city of Atlanta an NFL franchise, making them the 15th team in the league.
The 1966 season would be the Atlanta Falcons’ inaugural season, but before it could all begin, training camp had to occur. The first ever training camp in franchise history started on July 2, 1966 at the Blue Ridge Assembly in Black Mountain, North Carolina. A total of 130 players would show up to Falcons training camp, including 42 players that they added in the 1966 NFL Supplemental Draft. According to the LA Times, legendary head coach Vince Lombardi, expressed interest in becoming the Falcons first head coach, but he also wanted part ownership.