Raiders Legend George Atkinson, Known for His Fierce Hits, Dies at 78
George Atkinson was a key part of the Oakland Raiders' 'Soul Patrol' defense and helped secure the team's first Super Bowl title in 1977, playing 11 NFL seasons.
- George Atkinson, a legendary player for the Oakland Raiders known for his fierce hits, died at the age of 78.
- Atkinson was a member of the Raiders' famous 'Soul Patrol' secondary in the 1970s and won Super Bowl XI with the team.
- Atkinson had an impressive career, recording 30 interceptions, 13 fumble recoveries, and scoring four defensive touchdowns along with three punt return touchdowns.
61 Articles
61 Articles
Savannah native, former NFL safety George Atkinson dies at 78
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) — Former Oakland Raiders safety and Savannah native George Atkinson has died. Atkinson, a Johnson High School alumnus was 78. A cause of death was not reported. Atkinson played 11 NFL seasons, 10 of those with the Oakland Raiders, winning the 1977 Super Bowl. Atkinson was known for his big hits and physical play, a member of a Raiders secondary nicknamed the "Soul Patrol". Atkinson was the 1968 AP AFL co-Defensive Rookie of …
George 'The Hitman' Atkinson, life long Raider, dies at 78
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) -- Raiders legend George “The Hitman” Atkinson has died at the age of 78, the team announced Monday. “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 team said in a statement on X. Atkinson was selected in the seventh round of the 1968 Draft out of Morris Brown College. He quickly made a name for himself as a standout …
George Atkinson, former Oakland Raiders’ controversial, hard-hitting safety, dies at 78
Atkinson was the last remaining member of the Oakland Raiders' famed "Soul Patrol" defensive backfield that once terrorized the NFL.
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