George Atkinson, former Oakland Raiders’ controversial, hard-hitting safety, dies at 78

George Atkinson the last member of the Oakland Raiders famed Soul Patrol a hard-hitting rule-bending defensive backfield that terrorized the NFL in the s has died the squad reported Monday He was Atkinson s crowning achievement during a sometimes controversial -year NFL career included helping the Raiders win the first of their three Super Bowls when they defeated the Minnesota Vikings - at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena in Like several former beloved Raiders players Atkinson unveiled a home with the organization after his playing days He remained close friends with Raiders owner Mark Davis and Atkinson also served on the Raiders announcing group for years 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 Raiders revealed in a message 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 Atkinson s later years however were also filled with unspeakable tragedy as both of his twin sons George III and Josh died months apart Both had been high school stars at Livermore s Granada High before playing at Notre Dame Josh died on Christmas Day in at years old and George III who followed in his father s footsteps as an Oakland Raider in died in November at Both took their own lives Their father George Atkinson spent his entire career playing an aggressive menacing style of football that belied his smallish -foot -pound frame Although a contradiction in terms he played safety with the Raiders along with Jack Tatum a no-nonsense maniacal tackler who was nicknamed The Assassin Atkinson and Tatum teamed with Raiders cornerbacks Willie Brown and Skip Thomas aka Dr Death to form a fearsome foursome that caused nightmares for opposing receivers There was nothing like them explained Hall of Fame quarterback Fran Tarkenton of the Raiders Soul Patrol In the NFL created the five-yard chuck rule because of Atkinson Tatum Brown Thomas and the Raiders Wide Receivers could not get off the line of scrimmage against them Atkinson and Tatum and the rest of the gang were so physical and strong that I d have to wait and hope my guys could get open before I got killed Tarkenton and his Minnesota Vikings of discipline felt the Raiders wrath on January afternoon in Pasadena when Oakland trounced them in Super Bowl XI Although undersized and somewhat overlooked Atkinson turned out to be quite a bargain for the Raiders after being drafted in the seventh round out of tiny Morris Brown in He was the American Football League s co-Defensive Rookie of the Year and went on to make two All-Star tournament appearances while helping Oakland to five straight AFC Championship challenge appearances At times Atkinson s toughness led to ugly incidents on the field such as the time he knocked out Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Fame receiver Lynn Swann in the season opener by clubbing him on the back of the neck Coach Chuck Noll of the Steelers noted Atkinson was part of pro football s criminal element For his part Atkinson made no apologies for the way he played I just played the championship the way I thought it was meant to be played Atkinson declared Related Articles Vote now Bay Area News Group boys athlete of the week Vote now Bay Area News Group girls athlete of the week Macklin Celebrini given NHL award after big week Is a bigger honor coming Big power rankings BYU Cincinnati on top as former G schools thrive Monday Morning Lights For Clayton Valley Acalanes it ll be trick-or-treat Friday Atkinson relished the role of an intimidator as he was the biggest trash talker of the Raiders vaunted defensive backfield In addition to his hits against Swann Atkinson wasn t afraid to challenge much bigger opponents including the time he broke New England Patriots tight end Russ Francis nose with a vicious forearm hit during a championship Another Hall of Fame wide receiver former Miami Dolphins great Paul Warfield revealed receivers exercised extreme caution against Oakland s Soul Patrol When you went over the middle against Oakland and didn t account for Tatum and Atkinson you would not be in the match long without being carried off the field Oakland Raiders celebrate their win of Super Bowl XI against the Vikings in in Pasadena From left Neal Colzie John Matuszak Phil Villapiano George Atkinson and Ted Hendricks Ron Riesterer Bay Area News Group Archives