Jeffrey Aloysius Van Note (February 7, 1946 – October 2, 2026) was an American professional football player who was a center for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL) during the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. He played college football for the Kentucky Wildcats. The Falcons selected him in the 11th round of the 1969 NFL draft.
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College career
Van Note played at the University of Kentucky, where he was a running back and defensive end for the Kentucky Wildcats football team from 1966 to 1968.
Professional career
Van Note was drafted as a linebacker by the Atlanta Falcons in the 11th round with the 269th overall pick of the 1969 NFL draft. During the 1969 season, he played minor league football with the Alabama (Huntsville) Hawks of the Continental Football League.
Van Note was moved to center by Falcons head coach Norm Van Brocklin. Even with modest draft status and a lack of experience at center, Van Note established himself as one of the finest centers in the NFL, making six Pro Bowls. His 18-year tenure with one team is the ninth longest in NFL history. He played in 246 games with the Falcons, starting 226, second in team history to Mike Kenn (251). Van Note missed only four games in his NFL career.
In his final home game at Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium on December 14, 1986, the Falcons honored Van Note and presented him a 57 Chevy. He was voted by fans as the franchise's favorite player during the Falcons' 25th Anniversary season in 1991, and was inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in 1999.
Broadcasting career
After retiring from professional football, Van Note served as color commentator on the Atlanta Falcons and Kentucky Wildcats football broadcasts throughout the 1990s. Throughout this period, he would also frequently be heard on Atlanta airwaves as a sports-talk radio host.
Van Note spent time alongside Joe McConnell as the color commentator for the Tennessee Oilers in 1997.
Van Note gave up his commentator positions with both teams following the 2003 season, but was called back into the booth when Georgia Tech football analyst Kim King was unable to call games and later died in the fall of 2004.
Though no longer occupying the Falcons' play-by-play booth, he continued to appear weekly on the Falcons' radio broadcasts, hosting a studio pre-game show and taking calls following the game.
Death
Van Note died October 2, 2026, at the age of 80.
Honors
4 time All-NFC (UPI) – 1975, 1980–1982
6 time Pro-Bowler – 1974–1975, 1979–1982
2 time 2nd Team All-Pro (AP) – 1979, 1982
Induction into the American Football Association's Semi Pro Football Hall of Fame – 1984
Participant in the collegiate Blue-Gray All-Star game
Falcons Ring of Honor – 2006
Harris Poll Voter – 2011