PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE – George Atkinson, a hard-hitting former Raiders safety who struck fear in the opposition, died Monday. He was 78.
The Raiders said Mr. Atkinson’s family informed the team of his death. The team said he died in Georgia without revealing a cause of death.
The Raiders called Mr. Atkinson the anchor of the team’s “Soul Patrol” secondary of the 1970s that helped lead the team to its first Super Bowl title. Mr. Atkinson remained connected to the organization until his death.
“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 team said in a statement.
“In an era when receivers had little or no protection when going over the middle, Mr. Atkinson and [teammate Jack] Tatum doled out harsh punishment to anyone who tried.”
Mr. Atkinson played 144 games in his career, spending 10 seasons with the Oakland Raiders and a final season with the Denver Broncos. He played in seven AFL or AFC championship games and helped the Raiders win the Super Bowl following the 1976 season.
His 33 career interceptions in the regular season and playoffs rank fourth all-time for the Raiders, but he was most known for his physical play.
“Football is a collision sport,” Mr. Atkinson told the San Jose Mercury News in a 2016 interview. “If you don’t have a certain mentality you will get run out of the game.”
Mr. Atkinson joined the Raiders after being drafted in the seventh round in 1968. He was part of a stellar draft class that included Hall of Famers Ken Stabler and Art Shell …
