Falcons Release Leading Scorer Koo, Sign Rookie Romo to Roster

The **Atlanta Falcons** are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia, competing in the National Football League (NFL) as part of the National Football Conference (NFC) South division. Founded on June 30, 1965, by Rankin Smith, the team joined the NFL in 1966 as an expansion team, designed to keep Smith from joining the rival American Football League (AFL)[1][2]. **History and Achievements:** - The Falcons have experienced periods of success, with division championships in 1980, 1998, 2004, 2010, 2012, and 2016. A notable highlight was their 1998 season, finishing 14-2 and advancing to Super Bowl XXXIII, where they lost to the Denver Broncos[2][3]. - They also appeared in Super Bowl LI in 2017, losing to the New England Patriots in overtime[1]. - The team's first winning season was in 1971 under Coach Norm Van Brocklin, marking a significant milestone in their history[7]. **Current Status:** - The Falcons play their home games at **Mercedes-Benz Stadium**, which opened in 2017 and features state-of-the-art facilities, including the world's largest video board[4][5]. - The team is owned by **Arthur Blank**, who purchased the franchise in 2002[4]. - The Falcons are known for their strong fan base and have been a significant part of Atlanta's sports culture for decades. **Notable Aspects:** - Despite their achievements, the Falcons remain the oldest major professional sports team in the U.S. without a championship[1]. - The team has had notable players throughout its history, including Matt Ryan, who holds several franchise records[5]. - The Falcons are engaged in various community activities and initiatives, reflecting their commitment to both sports and social responsibility. While not primarily a business or technology organization, the Atlanta

## Overview Texas A&M University is a leading public, research-intensive institution and the flagship university of the Texas A&M University System. Established in 1876 as the state’s first public higher education institution—the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas—it has grown into one of the largest universities in the U.S., with a total enrollment exceeding 79,000 students across multiple campuses[1][3]. Texas A&M is classified as an R1 doctoral university, signifying very high research activity, and is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities[2][3]. The university is also one of only a few in the nation to hold land-, sea-, and space-grant designations, reflecting its broad academic and research mission[3]. ## Academic and Research Profile Texas A&M offers more than 130 degree programs through 18 colleges and houses 21 research institutes, emphasizing both undergraduate and graduate education[2]. The university is particularly renowned for its engineering programs, ranking No. 10 among public universities offering doctoral degrees in engineering, with petroleum engineering ranked No. 1 nationally[6]. Other standout disciplines include aerospace, industrial, civil, mechanical, electrical, and materials engineering, all ranked in the top 10 among public institutions[6]. The Mays Business School is also highly ranked, with its undergraduate business program at No. 14 among public universities and specialties like management, accounting, and marketing in the top 10[6]. Research is a cornerstone of Texas A&M’s identity. In fiscal year 2023, the university spent over $1.2 billion on research, making it the first in Texas to surpass $1 billion in annual research expenditures[3]. Its research spans critical areas such as disaster preparedness, agriculture, cybersecurity, robotics, and health sciences, driving innovation with real-world impact[5]. ## History and Evolution Originally a military and agricultural school, Texas A&M expanded its academic scope in the mid-20th century