Blank is the MVP of class operation

After three seasons playing for the Vikings, cornerback Lee Calland joined the Falcons for their first season in 1966. The Falcons posted a combined record of 6-35 during Calland’s years in Atlanta. Calland recalled his time with the Falcons and what he thinks of the franchise now that it’s successful.

I was in Minnesota as a rookie and started at cornerback. Norm Van Brocklin and his staff gave me an opportunity. I was all-rookie my first year and then in my second year I broke my arm against the Colts. I played with a broken arm and didn’t know. I think it made (the Falcons) notice. Atlanta came into existence, and I went into the (expansion) draft.

The Vikings were a new franchise also, so I was accustomed to playing with young guys and a new staff.

Everybody in Atlanta was young and new to the staff. Most of the people were Georgia people.

It was so different in those days. It was a different era. The NFL had always been open-minded, but the people were not that way.

The (Falcons) fan base was good; they were football fans.

I’m talking about the community. In Minnesota a lot of the guys could start a business and get a good opportunity, but down here it was hard because of society and the community. Today it’s a 100-percent turnaround.

It was tough to lose because you set out every week to win. We prepared to win; we were ready to go, and it just didn’t happen.

The chances of making the playoffs were nonexistent. The whole stress was getting there; we just didn’t have that opportunity. We had the enthusiasm but not the manpower.

Norm Van Brocklin came down to Atlanta during the 1968 season. I didn’t enjoy playing for him anymore. He would say, “If you get hurt, I will take care of you.” But when I got down here I found out one of the reasons the Falcons chose me was because I was a decent player, but that Minnesota made me available because of the injuries, which occurred because I had thrown my body around.

I’m thrilled with what the Falcons have become.

I call Arthur Blank the MVP. It takes quite a guy to stand on the sideline and watch his team lose and to suffer with them, to compliment and cheer them on.

It’s a different mindset when the whole organization is behind you.

They treat the alumni like first-class (people). It’s a firstclass operation, and I’m pretty sure the players appreciate that.