George Atkinson, member of Raiders' 'Soul Patrol,' dead at 78

George Atkinson, a hard-hitting former Raiders safety who struck fear in the opposition, has died. He was 78.

The Raiders said Atkinson’s family informed the team of his death on Monday. The team said he died in Georgia without revealing his cause of death.

The Raiders called Atkinson the anchor of the team’s “Soul Patrol” secondary of the 1970s that helped lead the franchise to its first Super Bowl title. Atkinson remained connected to the organization until his death.

George Atkinson, who starred for the Raiders’ “Soul Patrol” secondary in the ’70s, has died at age 78. Getty Images

“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 miss