Falcons sacks king John Abraham has former coach Mike Smith return to lead ring of honor ceremony

Atlanta Falcons honored retiring defensive end John Abraham during halftime of their game against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday night. Abraham, the team's all-time leader with 53.5 sacks from 2006-2012, expressed he was more nervous than he had been during his playing days for the induction ceremony. Former coach Mike Smith, who coached Abraham for five seasons, delivered the address, describing Abraham as "one of the most feared pass rushers the game has ever seen."

Abraham's career included stints with the New York Jets, Falcons, and Arizona Cardinals, accumulating 133.5 sacks in 15 seasons. He is a five-time Pro Bowl selection and two-time All-Pro with the Jets and Falcons, and is currently nominated for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2026. Other inductees in the Falcons' inaugural ring of honor class in 2004 included Steve Bartkowski, Tommy Nobis, Jessie Tuggle, and William Andrews.