George Atkinson

Former NFL standout George Atkinson, who forged his legacy as a hard-hitting safety and return specialist for the Oakland Raiders and later for the Denver Broncos, died October 27, 2025, in Georgia at the age of 78.

Born January 4, 1947, in Savannah, Georgia, Atkinson helped lead his team at Sol C. Johnson High School to the 1963 Class AA championship game. He excelled at Atlanta's HBCU Morris Brown College before being selected by the Raiders in the seventh round of the 1968 draft.

Atkinson burst into the professional ranks in his rookie year, returning an 86-yard punt for a touchdown in his debut, showing his speed and flair. He shared AFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors and was selected to AFL All-Star teams in his first two seasons.

He became a cornerstone of the Raiders' famed "Soul Patrol" defensive backfield of the 1970s, alongside Jack Tatum (1948–2010), Willie Brown (1940–2019), and Skip Thomas (1950–2011). That unit anchored five consecutive AFC Championship appearances, culminating in the Raiders' victory in Super Bowl XI following the 1976 season.

Across his pro career he played in 144 games, registered 30 regular-season interceptions (plus three in the postseason), and was known for his physical, punishing style of defense-earning the nickname "Hit Man."

Even after retiring, Atkinson remained connected to the Raiders organization, serving as a mentor and broadcaster for the team. He did pre- and post-game commentary, and he hosted the show "Behind the Shield."

Atkinson's personal life was marked by enormous tragedy. His twin sons, George Atkinson III and Josh, both played football at Notre Dame; George III went on to the NFL. Both died by suicide – Josh in 2018 and George in 2019. Atkinson himself publicly acknowledged his symptoms consistent with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), drawing attention to the toll of violent collisions in football.

Atkinson is survived by a large family, including seven children. The Raiders released a statement noting his passing and celebrating his contributions: "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."

By Legacy News Staff

(Image: Ethan Miller/Getty Images)