Falcons Crowd Noise Investigation: Latest Details, Possible Penalties and More

The Atlanta Falcons are under investigation for using artificial crowd noise at home games.

Continue for updates.

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Blank Speaks on NFL Investigation

Tuesday, Feb. 3

Falcons owner Arthur Blank spoke with Vaughn McClure of ESPN about the NFL investigation into the team's alleged use of artificial crowd noise during home games:

ESPN.com provided more from Blank:

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"It's not really a fine line," Blank told The Associated Press. "I think what we've done in 2013 and 2014 was wrong. Anything that affects the competitive balance and fairness on the field, we're opposed to, as a league, as a club and as an owner. It's obviously embarrassing but beyond embarrassing it doesn't represent our culture and what we're about."

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Falcons Facing Investigation for Artificial Crowd Noise

Sunday, Feb. 1

Atlanta Falcons are reportedly under investigation for creating artificial crowd noise during home games, an offense that could result in the loss of a draft pick should the NFL find them guilty.  

ESPN's Adam Schefter broke the news, citing a source who said "the tactics originated from the Falcons' game operations development." The investigation covers the last two seasons. 

"We were informed during the season that the league office is looking into crowd noise during our games," said a Falcons team spokesperson, via Schefter. "We have cooperated fully with them, and we're awaiting the outcome."

Teams like the Seattle Seahawks and Kansas City Chiefs, who have gone back and forth breaking the record for the loudest stadium, have demonstrated how a noisy crowd can affect opposing offenses' timing and rhythm. 

However, Atlanta's crowd noise—real or manufactured—certainly hasn't given the team a major advantage. Over the last two seasons, the Falcons are 6-10 at the Georgia Dome, only a slight improvement over their 4-12 road record. 

Bleacher Report's Scott Carasik put it simply:

No matter the effectiveness, it's against the rules, and it seems like the NFL is ready to send a message with a fairly steep punishment if the Falcons are deemed guilty. 

It's unclear what draft pick they may forfeit, but losing any pick during the rebuilding process would certainly prove costly.