The Las Vegas Raiders announced that former AFL All-Star and Super Bowl XI Champion, George Atkinson died at 78 years old.
“The Raiders Family is deeply saddened by the passing of George Atkinson, a life-long Raider whose physical style of play helped define an era of football,” the organization said in a statement on its website. “Selected by the Raiders in the seventh round of the 1968 Draft out of Morris Brown, George burst onto the pro football scene as an exciting defensive back and explosive returner, earning back-to-back AFL All-Star selections in his first two seasons.
“He later anchored the defense as a part of the famed ‘Soul Patrol’ secondary of the 1970s, helping lead the Raiders to unprecedented success as the Silver and Black advanced to five consecutive AFC Championship Games and won Super Bowl XI following the 1976 season.
“George’s contributions as a friend and mentor to everyone in the Raiders organization continued long after his playing career, and his genuine personality and wonderful sense of humor will be dearly missed by everyone who knew him. The prayers of the Raider Nation are with Denise, Brittany, Maya, Angela, Craig, and the entire Atkinson family at this time.”
The safety played in Oakland for 10 seasons, recording 30 interceptions (two returned for touchdowns) and 13 fumble recoveries (two returned for touchdowns) while developing a reputation as one of the hardest hitters in professional football. The Atkinson family has deep roots with the organization. George’s son, George III, who passed away in 2019, was with the Raiders in 2014 and 2015 after a successful career as a running back at Notre Dame.
It’s been a tough couple of days for Raider Nation. This news comes just a day after the organization announced that co-owner and the First Lady of the Raiders, Carol Davis, died over the weekend at 93 years old.
Silver and Black Pride extends its condolences to the Atkinson and Davis families. May George and Carol rest in peace.
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