"George Atkinson, the last member of the Oakland Raiders' famed Soul Patrol, a hard-hitting, rule-bending defensive backfield that terrorized the NFL in the 1970s, has died, the team announced Monday. He was 78. No cause of death was announced, but Atkinson revealed to the Bay Area News Group in 2016 that he was suffering from the effects of CTE. He made the decision then to pledge his brain to Boston's Concussion Legacy Foundation for CTE research."
"Atkinson's crowning achievement during a sometimes controversial 11-year NFL career included helping the Raiders win the first of their three Super Bowls, when they defeated the Minnesota Vikings 32-14 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena in 1977. Like many former beloved Raiders players, Atkinson found a home with the organization after his playing days. He remained close friends with Raiders owner Mark Davis and Atkinson also served on the Raiders' announcing team for years."
"The Raiders Family is deeply saddened by the passing of George Atkinson, a life-long Raider whose physical style of play helped define an era of football, the Raiders said in a statement. George's contributions as a friend and mentor to everyone in the Raiders organization continued long after his playing career, and his genuine personality and wonderful sense of humor will be dearly missed by everyone who knew him."
"Atkinson's later years, however, were also filled with unspeakable tragedy as both of his twin sons, George III and Josh, died 11 months apart. Both had been high school stars at Livermore's Granada High before playing at Notre Dame. Josh died on Christmas Day in 2018 at 26 years old, and George III, who followed in his father's footsteps as an Oakland Raider in 2014, died in November 2019 at 27. Both took their own lives."
George Atkinson, 78, was the last member of the Oakland Raiders' Soul Patrol and revealed he suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), pledging his brain for research. He played 11 seasons, helped the Raiders win Super Bowl XI over the Minnesota Vikings in 1977, and remained connected to the franchise as a friend, mentor, and announcing team member. The Raiders credited his physical, era-defining style of play and his personality. Atkinson endured family tragedy when both twin sons, George III and Josh, died by suicide in 2018 and 2019 after playing football at Granada High and Notre Dame.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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