Social media users compared the combination of sharp angles, colors, and vertical stripes to Nazi flags and military iconography.
By Shula Rosen
The Atlanta Falcons removed a retro social media profile picture after its red, white, black and gold design sparked widespread comparisons to Nazi Germany imagery.
Atlanta posted the graphic last week featuring the franchise’s angular black throwback falcon over vertical red, white, black and gold stripes.
The Falcons used the retro logo from the 1960s through the early 2000s.
Social media users compared the combination of sharp angles, colors and vertical stripes to Nazi flags and military iconography.
Some circulated memes referring to the team as “The Bird Reich.”
The official Encyclopedia Britannica X account responded with an image of comedian Norm Macdonald opening a bit about Germany, saying: “I don’t know if you guys are history buffs.”
The Stop Antisemitism account responded, “Can we have a word …”
Sports logo historian Chris Creamer told NBC that he did not believe the resemblance was intentional, saying he “can’t imagine in a million years” that the Falcons would deliberately align themselves with Nazis.
“It’s throwback weekend for the team, and the social media team just wanted to dress up like the players were going to, and it’s a very common thing that social media accounts do across all sports,” he told NBC.
Atlanta later replaced the disputed image with a red retro helmet bearing the black falcon, removing the striped background.
Similar reactions emerged two years earlier. FOX 5 Atlanta reported that a profile image posted in September 2024 also prompted Nazi comparisons.
Creative Bloq reported on Sept. 28, 2024, that a retro promotion before Atlanta’s game against the New Orleans Saints generated references to Nazi insignia and 1940s Germany.
Other users offered different interpretations, while some supported retaining the retro logo.
Atlanta is scheduled to wear uniforms inspired by its inaugural 1966 expansion season against the San Francisco 49ers.
According to an explanation previously published by the Falcons, red and black are associated with the University of Georgia, while white and gold represent Georgia Tech.
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