The LetterWinner Podcast: Episode 136 - King of Eye Candy

A little somber before we get started, Newt.

BBN and Letterwinner family lost a legend this past week.

Jeff Van Note passed away at the age of 80.

The Falcons announced it this past Friday, and for a lot of young fans, that name's on the ring of honor at Kroger Field.

They don't know the story.

I had a chance this past weekend to talk with some guys that knew Jeff very well.

I knew him a little bit, crossing paths with him.

He was an active K Club member.

I used to get some emails from Jeff as I started to ramp up my presence with the K Club.

He would, he would haze me a little bit with some of my grammar in them emails and make sure I was putting them dots on them I's or putting them periods at the end of the sentence.

I used to get a laugh out of that.

Who is this guy? Who is this guy Jeff Van Note sending me these emails at 10 o'clock at night? But here's a story about Jeff Van Note.

So he showed up at Kentucky as a fullback, Newt.

Charlie Bradshaw-

Mm

... moved him to defensive end, so I'm claiming him for the defensive end fraternity at UK.

He was a second team All-SEC defensive lineman as a sophomore in 1966.

Team MVP as a senior in 1968.

Three letters-

Mm-hmm

... on that letterman jacket.

The Atlanta Falcons drafted him in the 11th round in 1969.

11th round obviously doesn't even exist anymore, and then they moved him to center.

But before they moved him to center, Newt, here's where it gets interesting.

Jeff Van Note, when the Falcons expressed interest in him playing center, he decided to go to the Continental Football League and play a season at center.