Doug Atkins

Doug Atkins
Atkins on a 1954 Bowman football card
No. 83, 81
PositionDefensive end
Personal information
Born(1930-05-08)May 8, 1930
Humboldt, Tennessee, U.S.
DiedDecember 30, 2015(2015-12-30) (aged 85)
Knoxville, Tennessee, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
Listed weight257 lb (117 kg)
Career information
High schoolHumboldt
CollegeTennessee (1950–1952)
NFL draft1953: 1st round, 11th overall pick
Career history
Awards and highlights
Career NFL statistics
Sacks94.5
Safeties1
Fumble recoveries11
Interceptions3
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Douglas Leon Atkins (May 8, 1930 – December 30, 2015) was an American professional football defensive end who played for the Cleveland Browns, Chicago Bears, and New Orleans Saints in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Tennessee Volunteers under head coach Robert Neyland. He is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Atkins was also drafted to the NBA in the 17th round by the Minneapolis Lakers in the 1953 NBA draft.

Atkins was a fierce defender who was known for using his immense size and agility to his advantage. At 6 feet 8 inches (2.03 m), Atkins often batted passes down at the line of scrimmage and used his skills as a high jump champion to leapfrog blockers and get to the quarterback. Atkins was one of the first great exclusively defensive players in professional football and, along with fellow Hall of Famer Gino Marchetti, revolutionized the defensive end position.