The Raiders said Atkinson's family informed the team of his death on Monday. The team said he died in Georgia without revealing a cause of death.
"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," the team said in a statement.
pic.twitter.com/ovIkFMCdYs
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) October 27, 2025His 33 career interceptions in the regular season and playoffs rank fourth all-time for the Raiders but he was most known for his physical play.
Atkinson had disclosed he was suffering symptoms consistent with CTE in that interview.
"We became part of the nucleus for the Raiders from that draft," Atkinson once told the team website. "We wore the Silver and Black with pride. We understood what the tradition was and what we had to live up to."
Former Raiders player George Atkinson looks on during warmups before a game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on December 16, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Ethan Miller/Getty ImagesIn an era when receivers had little or no protection when going over the middle, Atkinson and Tatum doled out harsh punishment to anyone who tried.
Atkinson's most famous hits came against Pittsburgh and Hall of Fame receiver Lynn Swann. He knocked him out in the 1975 AFC championship game and then again in the 1976 season opener with a forearm to the back of the head on a play when Swann didn't even get the ball.
The second hit on Swann led Pittsburgh coach Chuck Noll to refer to Atkinson as part of the "criminal element" in the NFL. Atkinson sued Noll for defamation but lost the suit.
Atkinson's twin sons George III and Josh both played football at Notre Dame with George Atkinson III having a brief NFL career that included a stint with the Raiders. Josh died by suicide in 2018 and George III died by suicide in 2019.
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