The sign leading up to the lake home on Holly Drive in Dawsonville said estate sale, but the better description would have been the "Jerry Glanville Museum."

The former Atlanta Falcons coach and NASCAR driver opened his house from May 15 through 17 for fans to take home a memento from his nearly 30-year career before he sells the home and relocates.

Among the items up for grabs included his collection of game balls, bowl watches and rings, photos, trophies, tickets and awards, as well as memorabilia from his racing career and personal relics he accumulated over the years.

For longtime Falcons fan Jim Cizek of Cumming, it was a one-of-a-kind framed black and white photo from the Glanville's wedding where they're wearing Confederate clothing that caught his attention.

"I'd met Jerry before and knew him as a coach for the Falcons. I was just interested in seeing what was for sale," he said. "I knew this couldn't be duplicated by anybody."

As head coach of the Falcons and Houston Oilers, who many remember for stalking the sidelines in his trademark black attire and for leaving tickets at will call for Elvis Presley to each game he coached, Glanville compiled a 60-69 career record over nine seasons, taking the Falcons to the playoffs in 1991.

A fan and memorabilia collector, Todd Foster of Gainesville bought a ball cap covered in a collection of NFL pins, but was more interested in meeting the coach.

"He just came out and shook my hand and said thanks for coming and it was a pleasure to meet," he said. "What an honor."

While he may be better known for his coaching career, Glanville also earned notoriety as an owner and driver in NASCAR's Craftsman Truck Series, which brought him to Dawsonville about 17 years ago.

"Ernie Elliott was building my motors. I was racing and I couldn't race without their help. They helped me go get up front," he said. "Without them I'd be at the back. They were so smart and they were so good to me that they gave me the power to go compete against everybody.

"We had a little small team, didn't have very much money, but we could run up front because of the Elliotts."

With a new grandbaby on the way, Glanville said selling the house in Dawsonville and moving closer to family makes sense, though he's going to miss the area and the people.

"I've been here a long time. There's absolutely a hole in my heart when we leave," he said.