LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — George Atkinson II, a former NFL safety who helped the Raiders win Super Bowl XI, has died, the team announced Monday. He was 78.
Originally from Savannah, Georgia, Atkinson joined the Raiders via the draft in 1968, two years before the American Football League's merger with the NFL.
He played 10 seasons for the Silver & Black while the team was based in Oakland, California, anchoring a defense known as the "Soul Patrol."
Atkinson spent the 1979 season in Denver before retiring. He finished his career with 144 regular-season games played, 30 interceptions and four touchdowns scored on turnovers.
After retirement, Atkinson remained involved with the Raiders as a broadcaster for the team.
"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 Raiders said in a statement.
This comes a day after the **[team announced the death of Carol Davis](https://news3lv.com/news/local/carol-davis-death-widow-al-davis-first-lady-raider-nation-dies-93-sports-nfl-football-nevada-mark-davis#)**, the widow of late owner Al Davis and mother of current owner Mark Davis, at the age of 93.