On November 27, 1965, Texas linebacker Tommy Nobis, the most coveted college football player in the nation, became the first player ever drafted by the expansion Atlanta Falcons. Drafted #1 overall by the Falcons, Nobis was also drafted by the Houston Oilers in the AFL Draft. The resulting debate over where he should sign reached as far as outer space when astronaut Frank Borman sent word back from Gemini 7, "Tell Nobis to sign with Houston." He didn't. Tommy Nobis signed with the Falcons and quickly proved worthy of the #1 selection earning NFL Rookie of the Year honors in 1966 as well as his first Pro Bowl selection. Nobis recorded an amazing 294 combined tackles that year, an all-time Falcons single-season record that still stands today. Over the course of his 11 year NFL career, he would make 4 more Pro Bowl appearances and would lead the Falcons in tackles nine times. He also intercepted 11 passes and returned two of them for touchdowns. Tommy Nobis is a member of the Atlanta Falcons' Ring of Honor and his #60 was the first number retired by the team. He is commonly referred to as "Mr. Falcon".