George Atkinson, Former Raiders Safety, Passes Away at 78
George Atkinson, the ex-Raiders safety known for his intimidating presence on the field, has passed away at the age of 78.
The Raiders confirmed that Atkinson’s family notified the team of his death on Monday. While they announced he died in Georgia, they did not provide details regarding the cause.
Atkinson was a vital member of the Raiders’ “Soul Patrol,” a distinguished defense that helped the team achieve its first Super Bowl title in the 1970s. He maintained his connection with the organization throughout his life.
In a statement, the Raiders expressed, “George’s contributions as a friend and mentor to everyone in the Raiders organization continued well beyond his playing career, and his genuine personality and great sense of humor will be greatly missed by all who knew him.”
He played a total of 144 games over 10 seasons with the Oakland Raiders, finishing his career with one season at the Denver Broncos. During his time, he participated in seven AFL or AFC championship games and was part of the Raiders’ Super Bowl victory following the 1976 season.
Atkinson’s 33 interceptions throughout his career place him fourth on the team’s all-time list, but it was his aggressive playing style that many fans remember most.
In a 2016 interview, Atkinson shared, “Soccer is a collision sport. If you don’t have a certain mentality, you’re going to lose the game.”
He also disclosed experiencing symptoms consistent with CTE, a condition linked to repetitive head trauma.
Drafted in the seventh round by the Raiders in 1968, Atkinson was part of a talented draft class that included Hall of Famers Ken Stabler and Art Shell, alongside notable running backs Marv Hubbard and Charlie Smith. This group played a huge role in establishing the Raiders as a top team during that decade.
Reflecting on the impact of that draft, he remarked, “From that draft on, we became part of the Raiders’ core. We wore silver and black with pride. We knew what tradition was and what we had to uphold.”
Almost immediately upon joining the league, Atkinson made a splash by scoring on an 86-yard punt return in his debut. He was recognized in the AFL Pro Bowl during his first two seasons, excelling as both a returner and a defensive player. After Jack Tatum joined in the 1971 draft, they formed one of the NFL’s most feared safety pairings.
During a time when wide receivers faced minimal protection, Atkinson and Tatum were known for their punishing tackles.
“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,” he noted back then. “If you don’t want to get hit, you shouldn’t come to the game on Sunday. You’ll definitely get hit.”
One of Atkinson’s most infamous hits occurred against Hall of Famer Lynn Swann during the 1975 AFC Championship Game, which left Swann unconscious. The following season, he again knocked Swann out with a forearm to the head, even though Swann was not in possession of the ball.
Stabler later reflected on this, saying, “It may have been a little bit outside the rules, but that was George’s way of setting the tone for the game.”
Swann’s second injury prompted Pittsburgh coach Chuck Noll to label Atkinson as part of the NFL’s “criminal element.” Atkinson famously sued Noll for defamation but unfortunately lost the case.
Atkinson’s legacy continues through his twin sons, George III and Josh, who both played football at Notre Dame; George III had a brief NFL career, even with the Raiders. Tragically, both sons died by suicide, Josh in 2018 and George III in 2019.
