An AFL franchise was awarded to Rankin Smith of that city.

And Rankin Smith, Taylor's father and the club owner, explained why.

"He'll be the coach all season," Rankin Smith said.

A moment of silence was held before the game in memory of the Falcons' owner, Rankin Smith, who died earlier in the day.

Rankin Smith, owner of the Atlanta Falcons, said today that he would keep the team in Atlanta and try to build a new open-air stadium by 1991.

Glanville, 52, learned of that fate in an afternoon meeting with Rankin Smith, the club owner, and Taylor Smith, Rankin's son and the club president.

"We talked a great deal about hiring a name coach," said Rankin Smith, the team owner.

Rankin Smith died at the age of 72 on the eve of a Sunday Night game against Carolina.

Rankin Smith, the Falcons' owner, had said that the team would not remain in Atlanta unless a suitable alternate can be found to Atlanta Fulton County Stadium when the team's lease expires in 1990.

By June 30, the city picked Rankin Smith and the NFL.