George Atkinson, Raiders safety and broadcaster, dies at 78

George Atkinson, a hard-hitting former Oakland Raiders safety and longtime team broadcaster, has died at 78, the Raiders said Monday. His family informed the team that he died in Georgia; the Raiders did not disclose a cause of death.

Atkinson was a central figure in the Raiders' famed 1970s secondary known as the Soul Patrol. Drafted in the seventh round in 1968 out of Morris Brown College, he quickly became known for aggressive play, versatility as a returner, and durable production. Over an 11-year professional career that included 10 seasons with Oakland and a final year with the Denver Broncos, Atkinson played 144 games, recorded 33 interceptions in regular season and playoff play—ranking fourth in franchise history—and helped lead the Raiders to five consecutive AFC Championship Games and the franchise's first Super Bowl title following the 1976 season.

Early successes came immediately. Atkinson scored on an 86-yard punt return in his professional debut, was named co-AFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, and earned All-Star recognition in his first two seasons. He formed a feared safety tandem with Jack Tatum and teamed with cornerbacks Willie Brown and Skip Thomas to create a...