Gibbs back in the NFL: Joe Gibbs, who won three championships as head coach of the Washington Redskins, is returning to the NFL as a minority owner of the Atlanta Falcons. New Falcons chairman, president and CEO Arthur Blank announced on Friday that Gibbs, John P. Imlay, Jr., and John A. Williams have reached preliminary agreement to become minority owners of the team, buying a 5 percent stake for $27 million. The NFL has to sign off on the deal before it becomes official. During 12 years as head coach of the Redskins, Gibbs went to four Super Bowls, winning three of them. His postseason record –16-5 — is behind only Vince Lombardi and Weeb Ewbank. Gibbs retired from the Redskins in 1993 and turned his focus to Joe Gibbs Racing, based in Charlotte, N.C. The group includes two NASCAR teams led by Bobby Labonte and Tony Stewart.(ESPN). The connection between Blank and Gibbs? Blank is the co-founder and retired co-chairman of Atlanta-based Home Depot – the sponsor of Gibb’s #20 Pontiac with driver Tony Stewart.(3-15-2002)
