Steve Atwater
_(cropped).jpg) Atwater in 2025 | |||||||||||||||||
| No. 27 | |||||||||||||||||
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| Position | Safety | ||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||
| Born | October 28, 1966 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | ||||||||||||||||
| Listed height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | ||||||||||||||||
| Listed weight | 218 lb (99 kg) | ||||||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||||||
| High school | Lutheran North (St. Louis, Missouri) | ||||||||||||||||
| College | Arkansas (1985–1988) | ||||||||||||||||
| NFL draft | 1989: 1st round, 20th overall pick | ||||||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||||||
| Awards and highlights | |||||||||||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||||||||||
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Stephen Dennis Atwater (born October 28, 1966) is an American former professional football player who was a safety for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). He was an eight-time Pro Bowl selection and two-time Super Bowl champion. Atwater was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on February 1, 2020.
Atwater and Dennis Smith made up a Broncos secondary that was known for their ferocious hits on opposing players.
Early life
Atwater attended Lutheran High School North in St. Louis, Missouri and was the school's top athlete, playing football, basketball, and track.[1] Atwater was selected all-conference and league Most Valuable Player as an option style quarterback. He credits his coach there, Mike Russell, as serving as a mentor for him both as a football player and becoming an exemplary citizen.[2] Atwater also is sixth on Lutheran North's all-time passing yards in a season with 1,097 yards in his junior year.
College career
Atwater signed with the University of Arkansas, where he was moved from quarterback to safety. He was named to the All-Southwest Conference team three times and named as an All-American twice.[3]
During his senior year, Atwater helped the 1988 Arkansas Razorbacks football team finish the season at 10-2 and win the Southwest Conference championship outright, but lost to UCLA and QB Troy Aikman in the 1989 Cotton Bowl Classic on New Year's Day. 1988 bookended his college career since Arkansas also finished 10–2 after beating Arizona State 18–17 in the 1985 Holiday Bowl during Atwater's freshman season.
Helping Atwater's stock as a pro prospect was his appearance in the East-West Shrine Game, where he logged two interceptions. He was also named defensive most valuable player in the 1989 East-West Shrine Game.
He still holds the school record with 14 interceptions in his career.[4]
In 1994, Atwater was named to the Razorback All-Century Team and the All-Decade Team for the 1980s. He was inducted into the University of Arkansas Sports Hall of Honor in 1998.[3]
Professional career
Pre-draft
On January 15, 1989, Atwater appeared in the East-West Shrine Game and made two interceptions for the West as they were defeated 24—6 by the East. He was named the Defensive Player of the Game and substantially raised his draft stock following his performance.[5][6] He was considered to be one of the top two safety prospects available in the 1989 NFL Draft, along with Florida's Louis Oliver. Atwater was considered slow after running a 4.63s 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine, compared to Louis Oliver who ran a 4.37s 40-yard dash. At Arkansas' Pro Day, Atwater improved his 40-yard dash time to 4.50. During the pre-draft process, he had pre-draft visits with multiple teams including the Broncos.[7]
| Height | Weight | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft 3+1⁄2 in (1.92 m) | 212 lb (96 kg) | 4.63 s | 1.60 s | 2.75 s | 4.14 s | 37.5 in (0.95 m) | 9 ft 6 in (2.90 m) | 7 reps | ||||
| All values from NFL Combine[8] | ||||||||||||
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos selected Atwater in the first round (20th overall) of the 1989 NFL Draft. Atwater was the first safety drafted in 1989.[9] Head coach Dan Reeves was conflicted on which safety to draft after Louis Oliver was unexpectedly still undrafted at 20th overall. Head coach Dan Reeves consulted with defensive coordinator Wade Phillips and defensive backs coach Charlie Waters and it was decided they would draft Atwater due to his leadership and instincts.[7]
1989 season
Due to failed contract negotiations, Atwater staged a contract holdout which subsequently caused him to refuse to attend the first two weeks of training camp.[10] On August 1, 1989, the Denver Broncos signed Atwater to a four—year, $2 million rookie contract that included an initial signing bonus of $750,000.[11]
Upon his arrival at training camp, Atwater was slated to takeover a starting role at safety following the departure of Mike Harden. Defensive coordinator Wade Phillips employed him to line up close to the line of scrimmage and as a strong safety in the box to fortify the Broncos' dismal run defense from the previous season. Head coach Dan Reeves named Atwater and Dennis Smith the starting safeties to begin the regular season. With both standing at 6'3", the Broncos employed possibly the tallest safety tandem of all-time.
On September 10, 1989, Atwater earned his first career start and made his professional regular season debut in the Broncos' home-opener against the Kansas City Chiefs as they won 34—20. On September 24, 1989, Atwater set a season-high with two interceptions and had his first career interception on a pass Jay Schroeder attempted to throw to wide receiver Willie Gault and returned it for a 30—yard gain in the second quarter as the Broncos defeated the Los Angeles Raiders 31—21.[12] In Week 5, he set a season-high with 12 combined tackles during a 10—16 win against the San Diego Chargers.[13] He started all 16 games during his rookie campaign and made 129 combined tackles (86 solo) and three interceptions.[14]
1990 season
The Denver Broncos' retained Atwater and Dennis Smith as the starting safeties to begin the regular season in 1990. On September 17, 1990, Atwater had a career highlight in a game against the Kansas City Chiefs that was nationally televised on Monday Night Football. As the Kansas City Chiefs' 260 lbs. running back Christian Okoye came through a hole in the line of scrimmage, he was met by Atwater early in the first quarter. The resulting collision stopped Okoye in his tracks and resulted in no gain, with Atwater standing over him, taunting the proclaimed "Nigerian Nightmare", while he lay on the ground stunned. The hit instantly became the most prominent play of their careers. His coach Mike Shanahan stated "That's the hit people will remember him for."[15]. The Broncos went on to defeat the Chiefs 24—23. The following game, Atwater was sidelined as the Broncos defeated the Seattle Seahawks in overtime 31—34 due to an injury classified as a rib strain. In Week 6, he set a season-high with 18 combined tackles during a 17—34 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.[14] On November 18, 1990, Atwater sacked Jim Harbaugh for a five—yard loss, marking the first sack of his career during a 16—13 loss to the Chicago Bears. He finished the season with a career-high 173 combined tackles (112 solo), made two pass deflections, and one sack in 15 games and 15 starts.[14] His breakout season earned him a selection to the 1991 Pro Bowl, alongside Dennis Smith. This marked the first Pro Bowl selection of his career, although he was unable to participate due to injury.
1991 season
On September 15, 1991, Atwater made ten combined tackles, a fumble recovery, and intercepted Jeff Kemp's pass to wide receiver Paul Skansi as the Broncos defeated the Seattle Seahawks 10—16.[16] In Week 16, he set a season-high with 14 combined tackles and sacked Chris Chandler for a five—yard loss, marking his lone sack of the season as the Broncos defeated the Phoenix Cardinals 24—19.[17] He started in all 16 games throughout the 1991 NFL season and finished with 150 combined tackles (83 solo), 11 pass deflections, five interceptions, and one sack. He finished with the second most tackles on the team for the second season in-a-row, behind linebacker Michael Brooks with 153 combined tackles. His performance in 1991 earned him a selection to the 1992 Pro Bowl.
1992 season
On July 7, 1992, the Denver Broncos re-signed Atwater to a two—year, $3.50 million contract that included an initial signing bonus of $350,000.[18] Head coach Mike Shanahan retained Atwater and Dennis Smith as the starting safety duo to begin the regular season. Atwater would be inactive as the Broncos defeated the Los Angeles Raiders in their home-opener due to an ankle sprain.
In Week 2, he set a season-high with 17 combined tackles (10 solo) during a 21—13 victory against the San Diego Chargers. On September 27, 1992, Atwater recorded five solo tackles, set a season-high with three pass deflections, and had his first interception of the season on a pass attempt by Mike Tomczak during a 12—0 win at the Cleveland Browns.[19] In Week 15, he made seven combined tackles (six solo), a pass deflection, a fumble recovery, and intercepted a pass by Jim Kelly during a 17—27 loss at the Buffalo Bills.[20] He finished the 1992 NFL season with 151 combined tackles (73 solo), 12 pass deflections, two interceptions, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and one sack in 15 games and 15 starts.[21][14] On December 28, 1992, the Broncos announced their decision to fire head coach Dan Reeves after they finished with an 8—8 record.[22]
1994-1998 seasons
On May 12, 1995, the Denver Broncos re-signed Atwater to a five—year, $12.50 million contract extension that included a signing bonus of $3.30 million.
1999 season
On March 1, 1999, the Denver Broncos released Atwater with one—year remaining on his contract due to salary cap concerns, saving $3.30 million.[23]
Denver's defense jumped 20 spots to finish 7th against the run and tied for 3rd best in yards per carry with a 3.7-yard average. That same year, Atwater finished 2nd to the Kansas City Chiefs' Derrick Thomas in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting. The additions of rookies Atwater and Bobby Humphrey, along with key free agent signings, helped Denver rebound from 8–8 in 1988 to AFC Super Bowl representative in 1989.
Atwater's second season marked the first of seven consecutive Pro Bowl selections (1990–96), tied for most in franchise history. Over his career, he was selected to the Pro Bowl eight times, second-most in franchise history. Early in his career, Atwater teamed with fellow Broncos safety Dennis Smith to form one of the best safety tandems of their generation. Both would later be inducted into the Broncos Ring of Fame. During his 10-year career in Denver, Atwater started in 155 games, tying him for seventh in franchise history for games started. He also played in 14 post-season games.[24]
One of Atwater's career highlights happened on September 17, 1990, during a Monday Night Football telecast from Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado.
In Super Bowl XXXII, he posted one of the better performances by a safety in a Super Bowl and one of the greatest games of his career. In that game, he is credited with six solo tackles, one sack, two passes defensed and a forced fumble. His presence near the line of scrimmage kept the Green Bay Packers' running game in check. His sack and forced fumble resulted in three critical points in the second quarter when the Broncos offense had stalled without star running back Terrell Davis. Near the end of the fourth quarter, the game was tied at 24 and Green Bay had the ball on 3rd down & 8. Atwater knocked down a critical pass on a blitz where the receiver was left wide open, forcing the Packers to punt. Then on Green Bay's final drive, Atwater's vicious hit (which nearly knocked out three players, including Atwater, Packers wide receiver Robert Brooks, and his teammate, Broncos cornerback Randy Hilliard) with less than a minute remaining left the Packers in 4th and 6 situation without any remaining timeouts, due to NFL rules regarding injuries to players in the final two minutes of a game. Many argued that Atwater should have been the MVP of the game and the ensuing article in The Sporting News pictured Atwater and noted the impact of his hits on the game.
Super Bowl XXXII was Atwater's last great game, and 1997 his last great season. In 1998, he was relegated to only playing on 1st and 2nd downs and replaced on 3rd downs. Nevertheless, because of the viewership of the Super Bowl from the previous year, he was voted as an AFC Pro Bowl starter for an eighth and final time. Following the Pro Bowl voting, the Denver Post noted that Atwater's selection to the Pro Bowl was due to his play in the previous year's Super Bowl. Denver went on to win the Super Bowl for a second straight year, marking Super Bowl XXXIII as Atwater's final game with the Broncos.
New York Jets
On March 2, 1999, the New York Jets signed Atwater three—year, $8.25 million contract as an unrestricted free agent that included a signing bonus of $1.80 million.[18]
Atwater played for the New York Jets for one season and became a free agent. He called Broncos owner Pat Bowlen, asking him if he could retire as a Bronco. He signed a one-day ceremonial contract with the Broncos before announcing his retirement from football.[15] He thanked several of his coaches, stating "I bleed orange and will always bleed orange and blue."[15] At the time of his retirement, he played in 155 consecutive games with the Broncos. Bowlen called Atwater one of the Broncos' "greatest players".[15]
NFL career statistics
| Legend | |
|---|---|
| Won the Super Bowl | |
| Bold | Career high |
| Underline | Incomplete data |
Regular season
| Year | Team | Games | Tackles | Interceptions | Fumbles | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Cmb | Solo | Ast | Sck | PD | Int | Yds | Y/I | Lng | TD | FF | FR | Yds | Y/F | TD | ||
| 1989 | DEN | 16 | 16 | 129 | — | — | 0.0 | — | 3 | 34 | 11.3 | 30 | 0 | — | 1 | 29 | 29.0 | 0 |
| 1990 | DEN | 15 | 15 | 173 | — | — | 1.0 | — | 2 | 32 | 16.0 | 27 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 |
| 1991 | DEN | 16 | 16 | 150 | — | — | 1.0 | — | 5 | 104 | 20.8 | 49 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 |
| 1992 | DEN | 15 | 15 | 151 | — | — | 1.0 | — | 2 | 22 | 11.0 | 22 | 0 | — | 2 | 1 | 0.5 | 0 |
| 1993 | DEN | 16 | 16 | 141 | — | — | 1.0 | — | 2 | 81 | 40.5 | 68 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 |
| 1994 | DEN | 14 | 14 | 74 | 52 | 22 | 0.0 | — | 1 | 24 | 24.0 | 24 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 17 | 8.5 | 0 |
| 1995 | DEN | 16 | 16 | 103 | 82 | 21 | 0.0 | — | 3 | 54 | 18.0 | 25 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 |
| 1996 | DEN | 16 | 16 | 81 | 64 | 17 | 0.0 | — | 3 | 11 | 3.7 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 |
| 1997 | DEN | 15 | 15 | 68 | 53 | 15 | 1.0 | — | 2 | 42 | 21.0 | 22 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 |
| 1998 | DEN | 16 | 16 | 55 | 43 | 12 | 0.0 | — | 1 | 4 | 4.0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 |
| 1999 | NYJ | 12 | 11 | 63 | 40 | 23 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 |
| Career | 167 | 166 | 1,188 | 334 | 110 | 5.0 | 1 | 24 | 408 | 17.0 | 68 | 1 | 6 | 8 | 47 | 5.9 | 0 | |
Postseason
| Year | Team | Games | Tackles | Interceptions | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Cmb | Solo | Ast | Sck | PD | Int | Yds | Y/I | Lng | TD | ||
| 1989 | DEN | 3 | 3 | 3 | — | — | 0.0 | — | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 1991 | DEN | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1993 | DEN | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | — | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 1996 | DEN | 1 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0.0 | — | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 1997 | DEN | 4 | 4 | 9 | 5 | 4 | 1.0 | — | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 1998 | DEN | 3 | 3 | 10 | 9 | 1 | 0.0 | — | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 |
| Career | 14 | 14 | 28 | 23 | 5 | 1.0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | |
Legacy
Atwater was inducted to the Broncos' Ring of Fame Archived November 19, 2011, at the Wayback Machine in 2005. In 2017, Atwater was hired as both an insider for the Broncos' website as well as fan development manager.[25]
Atwater was among 27 modern-era semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2012. He was one of four previously eligible candidates that made it to the semifinals for the first time. Atwater also made the finalist list for the 2016 and 2020 classes.[26][27]
After 16 years, Atwater was selected to the 2020 Hall of Fame class on February 1, 2020.[28]
References
- ↑ "Lutheran High School Association of St. Louis". Archived from the original on May 8, 2010. Retrieved February 1, 2009.
- ↑ O’Halloran, Ryan. ""Amazing" high school experience created foundation for Steve Atwater's Hall of Fame career". No. 7 August 2021. The Denver Post. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
- 1 2 "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on July 28, 2012. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on November 23, 2011. Retrieved December 18, 2011.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ↑ "Steve Atwater, former Broncos "Smiling Assassin," is a Hall of Famer, Charlie Waters says". The Denver Post. January 20, 2019. Retrieved August 24, 2026.
- ↑ "East-West Shrine Game : Tillman, Fake Punt Help Spark East Win, 24-6". Los Angeles Times. January 16, 1989. Retrieved August 24, 2026.
- 1 2 "Tales from the Draft: How free agency misfortune turned into a decade of success with the selection of Steve Atwater". DenverBroncos.com. Retrieved August 22, 2026.
- ↑ "Steve Atwater, Combine Results, FS - Arkansas". nflcombineresults.com. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
- ↑ "1989 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ↑ "NFL Training Camp RoundUp". United Press International. August 1, 1989. Retrieved August 22, 2026.
- ↑ "BRONCOS SIGN 1ST-ROUND DRAFT PICK FOR $2 MILLION". Deseret News. August 2, 1989. Retrieved August 22, 2026.
- ↑ "Los Angeles Raiders at Denver Broncos - September 24th, 1989". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 24, 2026.
- ↑ "Pro-Football-Reference.com: Steve Atwater Game Logs (1989)". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 24, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 "1995 Denver Broncos Official Media Guide" (PDF). library.sfo2.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com. Retrieved August 24, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 "Steve Atwater Retires as a Bronco". AP Online. Associated Press. August 18, 2000. Retrieved March 11, 2014.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ↑ "Seattle Seahawks at Denver Broncos - September 15th, 1991". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 24, 2026.
- ↑ "Phoenix Cardinals at Denver Broncos - December 15th, 1991". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 24, 2026.
- 1 2 "Spotrac.com: Steve Atwater Contract History". Spotrac.com. Retrieved August 22, 2026.
- ↑ "Denver Broncos at Cleveland Browns - September 27th, 1992". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 25, 2026.
- ↑ "Denver Broncos at Buffalo Bills - December 12th, 1992". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 25, 2026.
- ↑ Cite error: The named reference
careerwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ↑ "Reeves fired by Broncos". United Press International. December 28, 1992. Retrieved August 27, 2026.
- ↑ "Atwater, Jets Agree to Contract". CBSnews.com. March 2, 1999. Retrieved August 22, 2026.
- ↑ "Steve Atwater Playoffs Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 3, 2025.
- ↑ Florio, Mike (July 23, 2017). "Steve Atwater rejoins Broncos, in multiple roles". NBC Sports. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
- ↑ sportsillustrated.cnn.com[link removed]
- ↑ "Yahoo Sports NFL". January 8, 2016.
- ↑ O’Halloran, Ryan (February 1, 2020). "Broncos safety Steve Atwater elected to Pro Football Hall of Fame". The Denver Post. Retrieved June 29, 2025.
External links
- Career statistics from Pro Football Reference
- 1966 births
- Living people
- American Conference Pro Bowl players
- American football safeties
- Arkansas Razorbacks football players
- Denver Broncos players
- New York Jets players
- Players of American football from Chicago
- Players of American football from St. Louis
- Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees
- 20th-century American sportsmen