George Atkinson III

George Henry Atkinson III (November 29, 1992 – December 2, 2019) was an American professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. He signed with the Oakland Raiders as an undrafted free agent in 2014, and also played for the Cleveland Browns, the Kansas City Chiefs, and the New York Jets.

As a rookie with Oakland in 2014, Atkinson began the season on the practice squad until he was activated late in the season and contributed mostly on special teams. He spent most of 2015 on the Raiders' practice squad. Atkinson joined Cleveland in 2016. He played on special teams for all 16 games and also saw time at running back in the season finale. In 2017, Atkinson again tried out with the Raiders, but was released and landed on the practice squad for Kansas City. He spent training camp with the Jets in 2018.

Early life Atkinson and his twin brother Josh were born to Michelle Martin and former Oakland Raiders safety George Atkinson II. Growing up, their mother suffered from paranoid schizophrenia and drug addiction, and she was institutionalized.

Atkinson attended Granada High School in Livermore, California, where he played high school football for the Matadors. He was selected Bay Area News Group athlete of the week after a win over Amador Valley High school football team. As a junior, he suffered a late-season hamstring injury and missed most of the postseason. He quit the team as a senior in protest over the firing of two of his sprint coaches.

College career Atkinson and his twin Josh attended the University of Notre Dame, where they played football for the Fighting Irish. Atkinson ran for almost 1,000 yards and scored 10 touchdowns over his three-year career. He was their leading kickoff returner each season. He ran a career-best time of 10.36 seconds in the 100 meters at the 2012 Big East Championships, placing second in the prelims.

Professional career

Oakland Raiders On May 16, 2014, Atkinson signed with the Oakland Raiders as an undrafted free agent. He was released by the team on August 30, but re-signed on September 1 to join its practice squad. On November 29, the Raiders signed him to the active roster. He played in five games as rookie, predominantly on special teams, averaging 18.1 yards on seven kickoff returns. On September 7, 2015, he was signed to the Raiders' practice squad, spending three weeks with the team before being released on September 22.

On September 3, 2016, Atkinson was released by the Raiders as part of final roster cuts.

Cleveland Browns The Cleveland Browns claimed Atkinson off waivers on September 4, 2016. He played on special teams in all 16 games during the season, Atkinson made his regular-season debut at running back in the season finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He had seven rushes for 34 yards and his first career rushing touchdown in the 27–24 overtime loss. On July 28, 2017, the Browns waived Atkinson.

Oakland Raiders (second stint) Atkinson was claimed off waivers by the Raiders on July 29, 2017. He was waived on September 2.

Kansas City Chiefs Atkinson was signed to the Kansas City Chiefs' practice squad on September 19, 2017. He signed a reserve/future contract with the Chiefs on January 10, 2018. He was waived on April 4.

New York Jets On July 29, 2018, Atkinson signed with the New York Jets. He was waived on August 31, 2018.

Personal life Atkinson's twin brother Josh died by suicide on Christmas in 2018. Their mother had died two months before due to complications from Crohn's disease. At one point, he was involuntarily committed to a psychiatric hospital after trying to harm himself due to the pain of Josh's death. His brother Josh was also posthumously diagnosed with CTE.