Ken Sugiura

Dick Butkus, the legendarily ferocious Chicago Bears linebacker, recognized in Jeff Van Note a peer, saying after a Falcons-Bears game in 1970 that “he'll just about tear your head off.”

A franchise that has made tripping over its feet an art form crafted another one to hang in the gallery, this one a 31-23 loss to the Bears , whose fans took over Mercedes-Benz Stadium Sunday.

The Hawks had a breakthrough season last year, took the New York Knicks to six games in the first round of the playoffs (don't ask about the last three), improved the roster, and … may not make the playoffs.

Let's go through a list of reasons why, after making the All-Star Game and the All-NBA team for the first time in his career, Hawks forward Jalen Johnson could — maybe should? — be even better than he was last season.

FLOWERY BRANCH — Because the Falcons and their beleaguered fans haven't sampled quite enough from the humility buffet, a fresh platter of sober introspection could be coming out from the kitchen shortly.

What happened at State Farm Arena on Wednesday wasn't merely a thrilling moment for Dream fans.

A fixture of the Peachtree Road Race and the most decorated coach in GHSA history, Bill Thorn influenced generations of Georgia athletes.

At the risk of oversimplifying things, the Dream had a humongous, whale of an opportunity Saturday and not only let it get away, but didn't really give themselves much of a chance to cash in.

The Falcons stunned the unbeaten 49ers on Sunday, but after an up-and-down season, questions remain about whether the breakthrough can last.

The circumstances for Game 6 of the WNBA Finals between the Dream and the Valkyries aren't what anyone wants.