Overview
- Atkinson was remembered by the Raiders as a friend, mentor and lifelong Raider who remained with the organization for years as a broadcaster and evaluator.
- Local reports in Savannah said he died Sunday night at home after several weeks of declining health, with funeral arrangements pending.
- He anchored the 1970s secondary known as the ‘Soul Patrol’ that powered five straight AFC title game appearances and a Super Bowl XI win, finishing with 30 interceptions and impact as a returner.
- In 2016 he publicly described symptoms consistent with CTE, and his twin sons, George III and Josh, died by suicide and were posthumously diagnosed with CTE.
- Tributes poured in from the franchise and former players, with coverage noting he had been the last living member of the famed unit alongside Jack Tatum, Willie Brown and Skip Thomas.