Great striker George Atkinson has died at 78

George Atkinson, a Super Bowl hero and member of the Raiders’ “Soul Patrol” secondary in the 1970s, has died, the team announced Monday. He was 78.

Atkinson played for the Raiders from 1968 to 1977 and had a stint with the Denver Broncos before retiring from the NFL. He was a two-time bowl selection and the 1968 American football rookie of the year.

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The strikers’ organization mourned the loss in a statement.

“The Raiders family is deeply saddened by the passing of George Atkinson, a life-long, charismatic player whose style of play helped define an era of football,” the team said. “Selected by the Raiders in the seventh round of the 1968 draft out of Morris Brown, George exploded onto the Pro Football scene as a returning Returner, receiving two All-Star selections in his two seasons.

“Later he strengthened this protection as part of the leader of the Remod ‘Soul Patrol Capel’, helping to lead the Railers to success as silver and won over all his friends. Everyone who knew him. The prayers of the nation attacked him with Denise, Brittany, Maya, Angela, Craig, and the entire Atkinson family at this time.”

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Atkinson’s two picks came in the first two years of his pro career. He had four interceptions his rookie season and two more in 1969.

He finished his career with 30 receptions and two touchdowns in 144 games.

In 1976, the Raiders defeated the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl XI. Atkinson had six tackles in the game.

Atkinson was known for his aggressive play on the field and delivered some of the biggest hits from his opponents. He and Jack TATUM were rivals who were afraid of any crime.

“We never go out in the field with the intention of trying to hurt anyone but we go out with the intention of getting our jobs,” Atkinson said at the time. “If you don’t want to get hit, it’s better not to show up when we play on Sunday. I guarantee you will get hit.”

One of the most memorable hits came in the 1975 Championship and the 1976 season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He knocked out Lynn Swann in both games.

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Then-the steeners coach Chuck Noll referred to Atkinson as part of the “Criminal element” in the NFL after the second hit. Atkinson sued for defamation but lost the suit.

The accompanying device contributed to this report.

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