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.

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 st

See Full Page