Steve Atwater’s journey to the Pro Football Hall of Fame began with long rides and short walks, well before starring at Arkansas, joining the Broncos, delivering a legendary hit on Kansas City running back Christian Okoye, earning the still-fabulous nickname of “The Smiling Assassin,” making eight Pro Bowls and winning two Super Bowl rings.
Walk 200 yards from his house. Board the bus on West Florissant Avenue. Get off at Lucas & Hunt Road. And walk up the street to Lutheran North High School in St. Louis.
“It seemed like it was 50 miles back then,” Atwater said during an interview with The Denver Post .