This article is from the source 'washpo' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/doug-atkins-intimidating-hall-of-fame-defensive-end-dies-at-85/2015/12/30/b19ed750-af32-11e5-b711-1998289ffcea_story.html
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Doug Atkins, intimidating Hall of Fame defensive end, dies at 85 | Doug Atkins, intimidating Hall of Fame defensive end, dies at 85 |
| (34 minutes later) | |
| Doug Atkins, a Hall of Fame defensive end with the Chicago Bears and two other NFL teams whose towering height, agility and strength made him one of the greatest pass rushers and most intimidating players of his era, died Dec. 30 at his home in Knoxville, Tenn. He was 85. | Doug Atkins, a Hall of Fame defensive end with the Chicago Bears and two other NFL teams whose towering height, agility and strength made him one of the greatest pass rushers and most intimidating players of his era, died Dec. 30 at his home in Knoxville, Tenn. He was 85. |
| He had Addison’s disease and heart ailments, said his son Dalton Atkins. | He had Addison’s disease and heart ailments, said his son Dalton Atkins. |
| During his 17-year career in the 1950s and 1960s — including 12 in Chicago — Mr. Atkins was all-pro eight times and anchored one of the greatest defensive units in NFL history. In 1963, the Bears allowed only 18 touchdowns during the season on their way to winning the NFL title. | During his 17-year career in the 1950s and 1960s — including 12 in Chicago — Mr. Atkins was all-pro eight times and anchored one of the greatest defensive units in NFL history. In 1963, the Bears allowed only 18 touchdowns during the season on their way to winning the NFL title. |
| In the title game, played in 8-degree weather in Chicago, Mr. Atkins and the defensive line put so much pressure on quarterback Y.A. Tittle of the New York Giants that Tittle threw five interceptions. The Bears won, 14-10. | In the title game, played in 8-degree weather in Chicago, Mr. Atkins and the defensive line put so much pressure on quarterback Y.A. Tittle of the New York Giants that Tittle threw five interceptions. The Bears won, 14-10. |
| The 6-foot-8, 275-pound Mr. Atkins had an overpowering physical presence on the football field, with a daunting combination of athleticism and strength. Along with Gino Marchetti of the Baltimore Colts and Deacon Jones of the Los Angeles Rams, he was credited with being one of football’s greatest innovators at defensive end. | |
| Few players at his position were as mobile, and Mr. Atkins forced fans to watch the defensive side of the line of scrimmage as well as the offense. | Few players at his position were as mobile, and Mr. Atkins forced fans to watch the defensive side of the line of scrimmage as well as the offense. |
| “He is the strongest man in football and also the biggest,” Hall of Fame quarterback Fran Tarkenton said. “When he rushes the passer with those oak tree arms of his way up in the air, he’s 12 feet tall. And if he gets to you, the whole world starts spinning.” | “He is the strongest man in football and also the biggest,” Hall of Fame quarterback Fran Tarkenton said. “When he rushes the passer with those oak tree arms of his way up in the air, he’s 12 feet tall. And if he gets to you, the whole world starts spinning.” |
| When Mr. Atkins played, statistics were not kept on sacks — when a quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage for a loss. The NFL record, in the 16-game seasons played today, is 221/2 by Michael Strahan of the Giants. Mr. Atkins estimated that, during the 14-game era, he had several seasons with at least 25 sacks. | When Mr. Atkins played, statistics were not kept on sacks — when a quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage for a loss. The NFL record, in the 16-game seasons played today, is 221/2 by Michael Strahan of the Giants. Mr. Atkins estimated that, during the 14-game era, he had several seasons with at least 25 sacks. |
| He alternately tossed opposing blockers to the ground or hurdled them. In an interview with Sports Illustrated magazine, Minnesota Vikings running back Tommy Mason said Mr. Atkins leaped over him to tackle Tarkenton. | He alternately tossed opposing blockers to the ground or hurdled them. In an interview with Sports Illustrated magazine, Minnesota Vikings running back Tommy Mason said Mr. Atkins leaped over him to tackle Tarkenton. |
| “Next time I kept my head up,” Mason recalled, “and he grabbed me by the seat of the pants and scruff of the neck and tossed me aside like a bouncer throwing a drunk out of a beer joint.” | “Next time I kept my head up,” Mason recalled, “and he grabbed me by the seat of the pants and scruff of the neck and tossed me aside like a bouncer throwing a drunk out of a beer joint.” |
| Some players were described as genial giants whose toughness on the field was matched by a gentle personality off it. Mr. Atkins was not one of those players. | Some players were described as genial giants whose toughness on the field was matched by a gentle personality off it. Mr. Atkins was not one of those players. |
| “I played against some mean ones,” Hall of Fame lineman Jim Parker said, “but I never met anyone meaner than Atkins. After my first meeting with him, I really wanted to quit pro football.” | “I played against some mean ones,” Hall of Fame lineman Jim Parker said, “but I never met anyone meaner than Atkins. After my first meeting with him, I really wanted to quit pro football.” |
| Mr. Atkins constantly feuded with George Halas, the founder and longtime coach of the Bears, once tussling with Halas at halftime after drinking a Coke without permission. When Halas complained about his poor practice habits, Mr. Atkins — whose top salary with the Bears was $30,000 — replied, “You don’t pay me enough to play and practice.” | Mr. Atkins constantly feuded with George Halas, the founder and longtime coach of the Bears, once tussling with Halas at halftime after drinking a Coke without permission. When Halas complained about his poor practice habits, Mr. Atkins — whose top salary with the Bears was $30,000 — replied, “You don’t pay me enough to play and practice.” |
| Off the field, Mr. Atkins was known as something of a wild man. He arrived at training camp with a pit bull and an arsenal of handguns and shotguns. | Off the field, Mr. Atkins was known as something of a wild man. He arrived at training camp with a pit bull and an arsenal of handguns and shotguns. |
| He had prodigious appetites for food and drink, and once won a team contest by drinking 23 martinis at a single sitting. | He had prodigious appetites for food and drink, and once won a team contest by drinking 23 martinis at a single sitting. |
| After the 1966 season, Mr. Atkins demanded a trade. He spent his final three years with the New Orleans Saints. When he retired in 1969, his 205 games were an NFL record for a lineman. On the final play of his career, at age 39, his sack preserved a victory. | After the 1966 season, Mr. Atkins demanded a trade. He spent his final three years with the New Orleans Saints. When he retired in 1969, his 205 games were an NFL record for a lineman. On the final play of his career, at age 39, his sack preserved a victory. |
| Even Halas, his longtime nemesis, was forced to admit, “There never was a better defensive end.” | Even Halas, his longtime nemesis, was forced to admit, “There never was a better defensive end.” |
| Douglas Leon Atkins was born May 8, 1930, in Humboldt, Tenn. He led his high school basketball team to 44 consecutive victories. | Douglas Leon Atkins was born May 8, 1930, in Humboldt, Tenn. He led his high school basketball team to 44 consecutive victories. |
| He went to the University of Tennessee on a basketball scholarship, but the football coach, Bob Neyland, persuaded him to put on the pads and try his luck on the gridiron. Mr. Atkins became an all-American and helped the Vols win a national title. He was also the Southeastern Conference champion in the high jump, clearing 6 feet, 6 inches. | He went to the University of Tennessee on a basketball scholarship, but the football coach, Bob Neyland, persuaded him to put on the pads and try his luck on the gridiron. Mr. Atkins became an all-American and helped the Vols win a national title. He was also the Southeastern Conference champion in the high jump, clearing 6 feet, 6 inches. |
| Mr. Atkins was drafted by Cleveland in 1953 and helped the Browns win the 1954 title before he was traded to Chicago. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1982 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 1985. | |
| In retirement, Mr. Atkins returned to Knoxville, where he sold caskets, drove a truck, ran a beer distributorship and worked in a county tax office. | In retirement, Mr. Atkins returned to Knoxville, where he sold caskets, drove a truck, ran a beer distributorship and worked in a county tax office. |
| His first wife, Joyce Lloyd Atkins, died in 2000. Survivors include his wife of 12 years, Sylvia M. Atkins of Knoxville; three sons from his first marriage, Dalton, Kent and Neil Atkins, all of Knoxville; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. | His first wife, Joyce Lloyd Atkins, died in 2000. Survivors include his wife of 12 years, Sylvia M. Atkins of Knoxville; three sons from his first marriage, Dalton, Kent and Neil Atkins, all of Knoxville; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. |
| The NFL Network ranked Mr. Atkins the ninth-greatest pass rusher in pro football history. In a 1983 production by NFL Films, announcer John Facenda described his earth-shaking force on the field: “Doug Atkins was like a storm blowing over a Kansas farm house. He came from all directions. All you could do was to tie down what you could and hope he didn’t take the roof.” | The NFL Network ranked Mr. Atkins the ninth-greatest pass rusher in pro football history. In a 1983 production by NFL Films, announcer John Facenda described his earth-shaking force on the field: “Doug Atkins was like a storm blowing over a Kansas farm house. He came from all directions. All you could do was to tie down what you could and hope he didn’t take the roof.” |