The Atlanta Falcons' new profile photo on X, which features the Falcons' logo from the 1960s and 1970s over a black and red background, has drawn quite the reaction – the post revealing the new picture has been viewed more than 15 million times since it was posted Wednesday, Oct. 21.
The post's caption read, "new PFP (profile picture)," followed by an eyeball emoji.
New PFP 👀 pic.twitter.com/gBXWISJav4
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) October 21, 2026
Observers have compared the photo to Nazi imagery, specifically the black and red color scheme and the bird-like image. The Nazi Eagle was a visible part of the German Nazi Party's imagery starting in the 1920s, depicted as a spread-winged eagle holding a wreath and swastika. It is associated closely with antisemitism following the rise of Adolf
Hitler and the Holocaust, in which Hitler's Nazi Party murdered an estimated 6 million Jewish people between 1933 and the end of World War II in 1945.
However, Atlanta is wearing 1966-inspired uniforms for its Sunday, Oct. 25, matchup against the undefeated San Francisco 49ers (6-0), according to FOX5 Atlanta. Photos from practice appeared to show the old logo on the red helmets of players; they will also wear a black jersey and white pants.
The Falcons wore the throwback helmets and jerseys multiple times in 2025, including in games against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Buffalo Bills.
The Falcons had no comment when reached by USA TODAY Sports.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Falcons' throwback social media logo goes viral as fans compare it to Nazi-era imagery
