Selected in the seventh round of the 1968 NFL Draft with the 190th overall pick, George Atkinson carved out a remarkable career with the Oakland Raiders. We’re talking about a near-decade run defined by grit, heart, and hard-hitting defense. Sadly, on October 27, 2025, news broke that the Raiders legend had passed away at the age of 78.

The announcement hit the football world hard. Almost immediately, tributes began flooding in from fans and the NFL community. And as the NFL community continues to honor his legacy on the field, many are also reflecting on the man he was off it, his family, his role as a father, and the personal battles that shaped his life beyond football.

While the reason behind Atkinson’s death remains unclear, let’s take a closer look at his journey through family, love, and the legacy he leaves behind.

Who was George Atkinson’s wife?

Professionally, Atkinson was a force to be reckoned with on the field. However, the 78-year-old faced immense personal battles throughout his life.

Atkinson was married to his ex-wife, Michelle Martin, the mother of his twin sons, George III and Josh. But life at home wasn’t easy. Michelle struggled with mental illness for much of her life and was reportedly institutionalized during the twins’ childhood, leaving Atkinson to balance the demands of football with the challenges of family.

Then, in October 2018, tragedy struck the Atkinson family when Michelle passed away unexpectedly on October 24 at the age of 58 in Lodi, California. For George, it was a devastating loss, one that marked the beginning of a series of heartbreaks that would test him in ways far beyond the football field.

Who were George Atkinson’s children?

The Raiders’ legend had twin sons, George III and Josh, who both were standout football players in high school and were teammates at Notre Dame. While Josh was the defensive back, George III played running back in the NFL for the Raiders.

However, Atkinson endured unimaginable heartbreak when he lost both of his sons at a young age, long before they ever had the chance to fully live out their potential. Two months after Michelle’s passing, Josh died unexpectedly on Christmas Day in 2018 at the age of 26.

“I can’t put into words the pain that comes with losing my twin brother … thank you for the love and support and please keep Josh in your prayers,” his twin brother tweeted. But heartbreak returned to the Atkinson family a year later when George III also passed away at just 27 years old, leaving behind a legacy marked by talent, tragedy, and deep familial love.

Per reports, George III was “filled with anger and guilt,” after his brother’s death. “I was on an emotional roller coaster and in a real dark place,” he said. The twins went through a difficult childhood as their mother battled mental health issues and drug addiction.

For a time, they stayed with their uncle before eventually moving in with their father, where they finally found some sense of stability. But by the time George Atkinson Sr. passed away, he had already suffered the unimaginable, losing his ex-wife and both of his sons.

George Atkinson’s net worth and his career with the Raiders

Atkinson spent nearly a decade with the Raiders from 1968 to 1977 before eventually calling it a career with the Denver Broncos in 1979. With the Raiders, Atkinson was the AFL Co-Defensive Rookie of the Year, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, and a member of the Super Bowl-winning team in 1977.

Known as the “Hit Man,” the Raiders legend was a running back, safety, and return specialist for the Raiders, where he recorded 30 career interceptions. In the process, he developed a strong relationship with his teammates.

“The guys with the Raiders, I was really tight with all the guys from the defensive secondary — Jack Tatum, his kids still call me Uncle. Willie Brown, Skip Thomas, and Neal Colzie, they have all passed now, but we were great friends through football. It’s just working for a common goal together that you develop those relationships,” he said.

While he wrapped up his NFL career with the Raiders and the Broncos on a high note, his NFL journey was far from over. Following his retirement, he had worked as a radio and television broadcaster doing pre-game and post-game shows for 17 years.

On top of that, Atkinson also spent time on staff during Jon Gruden’s tenure as the Raiders’ head coach, serving in a role that involved evaluating players and contributing to the team’s scouting and player development efforts. Though Atkinson spent the majority of his life connected to the Raiders, both during and after his playing days, details about his estimated net worth remain unclear.