George Atkinson, former Oakland Raiders’ safety, two-time Pro Bowler, one-time Super Bowl champ, and full-time Pittsburgh Steelers’ rival has died. He was 78. The Raiders confirmed Atkinson’s death a short time ago, releasing this statement to Twitter/X.
The news comes one day after Carol Davis, wife of Al Davis, died at 93.
Atkinson was known as one of the fiercest players of his era and a face of the 1970s rivalry between the Steelers and Raiders. A seventh round pick of the Raiders in 1968, he appeared in 144 games, making 126 starts. A two-time Pro Bowler in 1968 and 1969, he picked off 30 passes, returning two for touchdowns.