Al Atkinson

For the 19th century baseball player, see Al Atkinson (baseball). For the Australian footballer, see Alan Atkinson.

Allen Edward Atkinson (born July 28, 1943) is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the American Football League (AFL) and the National Football League (NFL). He played high school ball at Monsignor Bonner High School. He played college football for the Villanova Wildcats as a lineman. He played professionally in the AFL for the New York Jets from 1965 through 1969;^[2] then for the NFL Jets 1970 through 1974. He was a member of the Jets' 1968 World Championship team, and an AFL All-Star in 1968.

Al Atkinson

No. 88, 62
Position:	Linebacker
Personal information
Born:	(1943-07-28) July 28, 1943 (age 82) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:	230 lb (104 kg)
Career information
High school:	Monsignor Bonner (Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania)
College:	Villanova
NFL draft:	1965: 6th round, 84th pick
AFL draft:	1965: 3rd round, 24 (by the Buffalo Bills)[1]th pick
Career history
New York Jets (1965–1974)
Career highlights and awards
Super Bowl champion (III) AFL champion (1968) AFL All-Star (1968) First-team All-American (1964) First-team All-East (1964)
Career NFL statistics
Games played - started: 120-16 Interceptions: 21 Fumble recoveries: 2 Stats at Pro Football Reference

Biography

Allen Edward Atkinson was born on July 28, 1943 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Allen and Mary (née Connelly) Atkinson. He was one of seven children, having two brothers and four sisters. His father worked as a trolley operator for SEPTA. His brother, Bill Atkinson, became the first quadripalegic ordained to the Catholic priesthood in 1974, following a sledding accident a decade earlier.^[3] In 2017, Bill was named a Servant of God, the first step towards canonization.^[4]

See also

• List of American Football League players