Obituary: George Atkinson, Former Raiders Star, Passes Away at 78
George Atkinson, a Super Bowl champion and key player in the Raiders’ Soul Patrol secondary from the 1970s, has passed away at the age of 78, as announced by the team on Monday.
Atkinson was part of the Raiders from 1968 to 1977, later playing a season with the Denver Broncos before he hung up his cleats. He was a two-time Pro Bowl selection and earned the title of the American Football League’s Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1968.
The Raiders organization expressed their sorrow in a statement, saying, “The Raiders family is deeply saddened by the passing of George Atkinson, a lifelong Raider whose physical style of play helped define an era of football.” Drafted in the seventh round of the 1968 draft out of Morris Brown College, he quickly made a name for himself as a dynamic defensive back and returner, gaining back-to-back AFL All-Star nods early on.
Atkinson became a foundational part of the defense, contributing to the legendary ‘Soul Patrol’ secondary in the 1970s, which led the Raiders to five straight AFC Championship Games and a victory in Super Bowl XI after the 1976 season. The organization noted that his role as a friend and mentor would be felt for years to come, and his vibrant personality and humor will be dearly missed by everyone who knew him.
Atkinson’s impact on the field was significant. He recorded four interceptions in his rookie year and added two more in his sophomore season, finishing his career with a total of 30 interceptions and two touchdowns across 144 games. In the 1976 Super Bowl against the Minnesota Vikings, he made six tackles.
Known for his intense play style, Atkinson wasn’t afraid to deliver some heavy hits. He once remarked, “We never go on the field with the intention of hurting anyone, but we do go on the field with the intention of getting our job done.” His memorable hits, like those against Lynn Swann during the AFC Championship and the season opener in the 1976 season, solidified his reputation on the field.
Atkinson’s fierce playing style drew criticism at times. Chuck Noll, the then-coach of the Steelers, labeled him part of the NFL’s “criminal element” following one of those hits, leading Atkinson to sue Noll for defamation—though he ultimately lost that case.
