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Steve Atwater
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Steve Atwater
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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.

Key Information

Atwater and Dennis Smith made up a Broncos secondary that was known for their ferocious hits on opposing players.

Early life

[edit]

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

[edit]

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

[edit]
Pre-draft measurables
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[5]

Atwater was selected by the Denver Broncos in the first round (20th overall) of the 1989 NFL draft.[6] New defensive coordinator Wade Phillips employed Atwater close to the line of scrimmage in order to fortify Denver's run defense and he led the team in tackles, finishing with 129 tackles his rookie season. 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.[7]

One of Atwater's career highlights happened on September 17, 1990, during a Monday Night Football telecast from Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado. As the Kansas City Chiefs' massive 260 lbs. running back Christian Okoye came through a hole in the line of scrimmage, he was met by Atwater. The resulting collision stopped Okoye in his tracks, with Atwater standing over him, taunting the proclaimed "Nigerian Nightmare", while he lay on the ground stunned. His coach Mike Shanahan stated "That's the hit people will remember him for."[8]

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.

Atwater left the Broncos following the 1998 season, signing with the New York Jets as a free agent for his final season in 1999. 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.[8] He thanked several of his coaches, stating "I bleed orange and will always bleed orange and blue."[8] At the time of his retirement, he played in 155 consecutive games with the Broncos. Bowlen called Atwater one of the Broncos' "greatest players".[8]

NFL career statistics

[edit]
Legend
Won the Super Bowl
Bold Career high
Underline Incomplete data

Regular season

[edit]
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

[edit]
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

[edit]

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.[9]

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.[10][11]

After 16 years, Atwater was selected to the 2020 Hall of Fame class on February 1, 2020.[12]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Steve Atwater

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Steve Atwater (born October 28, 1966) is a former safety who played professionally in the (NFL) for 11 seasons, primarily with the . Drafted in the first round (20th overall) of the out of the , Atwater appeared in 167 games, recording over 1,000 tackles, 24 interceptions for 408 yards and one touchdown, and five sacks. Renowned for his hard-hitting and instinctive style at free safety, he made an immediate impact as a and was a key defensive contributor to the Broncos' victories in and . Atwater concluded his career with the in 1999 and was inducted into the as part of the Class of 2020. Born in , , Atwater grew up in , , where he attended Lutheran North High School. At the , he was a four-year letterwinner from 1985 to 1988, serving as team captain in his senior year and earning three All- selections (first-team in 1986 and 1988, second-team in 1987). He set the school record with 14 career interceptions and was later honored as a member of Arkansas's Sports Hall of Honor, All-Century Team, and All-Decade Team of the 1980s. In 2018, Atwater was inducted into the Hall of Fame, recognizing his standout college performance. During his NFL tenure, Atwater earned eight invitations (1991–1997 and 1999) and two first-team honors (1991 and 1992). He was also named to the NFL's All-Decade Team for the 1990s, cementing his legacy as one of the era's premier safeties. In 2025, he was inducted into the National High School Football Hall of Fame. In 1997, he tallied 83 tackles, two interceptions, and two fumble recoveries en route to a title, while his physical play defined the Broncos' defensive identity under coach .

Early years

Childhood in Chicago

Stephen Dennis Atwater was born on October 28, 1966, in , , to parents Jeff and Jessie Atwater. He grew up as the youngest of six children in a working-class African American family, alongside siblings Stephanie, Michelle, Sabrina, Rick, and Ronnie. His mother, Jessie, primarily raised the children, while his father provided financial support but was not actively involved in their daily lives until Atwater reached high school. The family resided in during Atwater's , facing economic challenges typical of many urban households at the time, before relocating to , , when he was three years old. This period instilled foundational values of resilience and family reliance that influenced his later development.

High school career

Steve Atwater attended Lutheran North High School in , , graduating in 1984. During his high school years, Atwater was a standout multi-sport athlete, excelling in football, , and track. In football, he played as both a and over three varsity seasons after missing his freshman year due to a injury. He earned all-conference honors and was named league MVP as a wishbone , while also receiving all-state recognition as a senior . Atwater's high school performance drew attention from college recruiters, resulting in scholarship offers from the , , and Tulsa. He committed to Arkansas after a visit from Razorbacks assistant coach Jesse Branch and a recruiting trip to Fayetteville, viewing it as the ideal balance of distance from home. In recognition of his foundational high school contributions to football, Atwater was elected to the National High School Football Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2025 and was enshrined on June 14, 2025, in .

Collegiate career

Steve Atwater enrolled at the in the fall of 1984 as a recruit from Lutheran North High School in , . After just three days of practice, coaches transitioned him to the secondary, where he redshirted his initial season before debuting as a redshirt safety in 1985. Atwater earned a in and banking from Arkansas in 1989. As a redshirt in 1985, Atwater quickly adapted to his new role in the Razorbacks' defensive backfield, recording 2 interceptions over 11 games while contributing to a 10-2 team record that earned a berth in Bowl, where Arkansas defeated Arizona State 18-17. In his sophomore year of 1986, he emerged as a starter and key defensive contributor, notching 4 interceptions—second on the team—and helping achieve a 9-3 mark. His performance earned him first-team All-Southwest Conference honors as the Razorbacks' secondary solidified under his presence. During his junior season in 1987, Atwater led the team with 4 interceptions, including one returned for a , while the Razorbacks posted a 9-4 record and advanced to the , losing 20-17 to Georgia. He received second-team All-Southwest Conference recognition for his efforts in patrolling the defensive backfield. As a senior and team captain in 1988, Atwater anchored the defense with 70 tackles and another 4 interceptions, bringing his career total to a school-record 14 picks, along with 28 pass deflections and 229 tackles overall. His leadership helped propel to a 10-2 finish, a co-Southwest Conference championship, and a Cotton Bowl appearance, where they lost 17-3 to UCLA. Atwater capped his college career with 2 interceptions in the East-West Game, earning MVP honors.

College achievements

During his tenure at the University of Arkansas, Steve Atwater garnered numerous athletic honors that underscored his defensive prowess as a . He earned three-time All-Southwest Conference recognition, including first-team selections in 1986 and 1988, and second-team honors in 1987. As a senior that year, he received All-American honors, with second-team nods from the and , along with a third-team selection from Football News. Atwater's on-field impact was evident in his statistical contributions, culminating in a school-record 14 interceptions over his four seasons from 1985 to 1988. His senior campaign featured 70 tackles and four interceptions, highlighting his role in bolstering Arkansas's secondary. Following his playing days, Atwater received lasting recognition for his collegiate contributions. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018 as part of a class honoring standout performers from the conference's history. Additionally, he joined the Sports Hall of Honor in 1998 and was selected to the Razorbacks' All-Century and All-Decade (1980s) teams.

Professional career

Draft and Broncos tenure

Atwater was selected by the in the first round, 20th overall, of the out of the . His college performance as a hard-hitting boosted his draft stock, leading to high expectations for his contributions to the Broncos' secondary under new Wade . In his rookie season of 1989, Atwater started all 16 games at free safety, recording 129 tackles and three interceptions while helping the Broncos' defense improve dramatically to allow the fewest points in the AFC. His immediate impact solidified the secondary, as he ranked second on the team in tackles and demonstrated the instinctive play that defined his career. From 1989 to 1998, Atwater served as a consistent starter for the Broncos, appearing in 155 games with 141 starts—and earning the nickname "Smiling Assassin" for his affable demeanor off the field contrasted with his ferocious, hard-hitting style on it, a moniker coined by assistant coach during 1989 training camp. He led the team in tackles twice, with 141 in 1993 and 103 in 1995, showcasing his reliability in run support and coverage. Atwater's tenure bridged coaching eras, providing veteran leadership in defensive schemes under head coaches and , where he helped anchor a unit known for physicality and turnover creation. Among his standout moments were bone-jarring hits that epitomized his aggressive play, including a thunderous tackle on after a catch from during a 1997 regular-season game against the , which contributed to Rice's season-ending knee injury. Atwater's physical presence deterred opponents and set the tone for the Broncos' defense throughout the .

Super Bowl victories

Steve Atwater played a pivotal role as a defensive captain for the during their back-to-back victories, helping to orchestrate a defensive scheme that emphasized zone coverages to neutralize opposing passers and runners. These triumphs in 1998 and 1999 represented the franchise's first championships, transforming the Broncos from perennial contenders plagued by three prior defeats—including a 55-10 loss in , which Atwater experienced as a rookie—to the onset of a dominant era under head coach . Atwater's personal motivation stemmed from those earlier heartbreaks, fueling his determination to deliver a title for quarterback and the organization. In following the 1997 season, the Broncos defeated the 31-24 at Qualcomm Stadium in , , ending the Packers' bid for a repeat championship. Atwater, starting at free safety, delivered an outstanding performance with 6 solo tackles, 1 sack, and 1 forced , including tight coverage on that disrupted Green Bay's aerial attack. His sack of Favre in the second quarter forced a recovered by defensive end Neil Smith at the Packers' 28-yard line, setting up a that gave Denver a 17-10 halftime lead; the Broncos' defense, bolstered by Atwater's leadership, limited Green Bay to just 95 rushing yards on 20 attempts. A highlight was Atwater's thunderous hit on wide receiver Robert Brooks in the fourth quarter, which sidelined Brooks, Atwater himself, and Broncos cornerback Randy Hilliard, but halted a potential Packers comeback drive and preserved the victory. The following year, in after the 1998 season, the Broncos secured a 34-19 win over the at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, Florida, completing the franchise's first repeat championship. Atwater contributed 6 solo tackles while starting at free safety, focusing on run support and pass defense to contain Falcons Chris Chandler. His efforts helped the Broncos' defense force three second-half interceptions and hold Atlanta to 131 rushing yards on 23 carries, with key stops preventing the Falcons from mounting a sustained ground game despite an early . As defensive captain, Atwater's veteran presence stabilized the secondary in zone schemes, allowing Denver to intercept Chandler three times and seal Elway's final game with a second ring. These victories cemented Atwater's legacy as a cornerstone of the Broncos' defensive resurgence.

New York Jets and retirement

After leaving the Denver Broncos as a , Steve Atwater signed a three-year, $8.25 million contract with the on March 2, 1999, including a $1.8 million signing bonus. In his only season with the team, Atwater appeared in 12 games, starting 11, but his performance was hampered by lingering injuries from his hard-hitting style accumulated over a decade in the . He recorded 40 solo tackles (63 combined) and no interceptions in limited action, often struggling with mobility due to prior impacts. Midway through the 1999 season, Atwater was further limited by a pinched in his and knee issues, which led to him being placed on injured reserve on December 16, though he returned briefly for the final games. These ailments, compounded by the physical toll of his aggressive playing approach, restricted his effectiveness and marked a challenging end to his time with the Jets. The team waived him on February 2, 2000. At age 33, Atwater announced his retirement from the on August 18, 2000, after signing a symbolic one-day with the Broncos to end his career where it began, citing cumulative neck and spine problems as the primary reason. In farewell statements, he reflected on his 11-year career, stating, "I bleed orange and will always bleed orange and blue," expressing gratitude for the opportunity to play at a high level despite the toll on his body. Following , Atwater faced initial challenges adapting to life outside football, particularly missing the camaraderie and brotherhood of the game, though he noted he was mentally prepared to step away from the physical demands.

Career statistics

Regular season

Steve Atwater played 167 regular-season games over 11 seasons from 1989 to 1999, primarily as a free safety for the before finishing his career with the . His career totals include 1,188 combined tackles (1,078 solo, 110 assisted), 24 interceptions, 5 sacks, and 12 forced fumbles, showcasing his dual role in pass coverage and run support. Note: Tackle totals prior to 1994 are unofficial. As a , Atwater's statistics highlight his effectiveness in intercepting passes, with a career average of about 2.16 interceptions per 16 games, while his tackle numbers demonstrated strong run-stopping ability, particularly in the when he averaged over 100 combined tackles in several seasons. His tackle production increased mid-career, peaking in the early with seasons exceeding 140 combined tackles, before a slight decline in later years due to injuries and age. One notable performance came in 1995, when he recorded 103 combined tackles and 3 interceptions, underscoring his consistent impact on the Broncos' defense. The following table provides a year-by-year breakdown of Atwater's regular-season statistics, based on official NFL records.
YearTeamGames (G/GS)Combined TacklesSoloAssistedSacksInterceptionsForced Fumbles
1989DEN16/1612912900.031
1990DEN15/1517317301.020
1991DEN16/1615015001.052
1992DEN15/1515115101.022
1993DEN16/1614114101.021
1994DEN14/147452220.011
1995DEN16/1610382210.032
1996DEN16/168164170.032
1997DEN15/156853151.020
1998DEN16/165543120.010
1999NYJ12/116340230.001
Career Totals: 167 games (166 starts), 1,188 combined tackles, 1,078 solo, 110 assisted, 5.0 sacks, 24 , 12 forced fumbles.

Postseason

Steve Atwater appeared in six playoff runs during his career, starting all 14 postseason games from 1989 to 1998, showcasing his reliability in high-stakes matchups. His career playoff totals include 37 combined tackles, 1 , and 2 forced fumbles (tackle data incomplete prior to 1994), highlighting his role as a key defensive contributor for the during their successful late-1990s campaigns. Note: Tackle totals prior to 1994 are unofficial. Notable performances came in pivotal games, such as the 1989 AFC Championship where Atwater recorded 3 tackles (2 solo, 1 assist) against the . He elevated his play during the Broncos' championship postseasons, registering 15 tackles in the 1997 playoffs (4 games) and 13 in 1998 (3 games), aiding the team's consecutive triumphs.
YearTeamGGSCombSoloAstIntFFSk
1989DEN33330000.0
1991DEN22000100.0
1993DEN11000000.0
1996DEN22660000.0
1997DEN4415105011.0
1998DEN3313112010.0
Total141537307121.0
Note: Statistics reflect Atwater's contributions in Super Bowls XXIV, XXXII, and XXXIII, with emphasis on defensive stops rather than detailed play-by-play analysis. Tackle data for early years is limited.

Awards and honors

Individual NFL accolades

Steve Atwater earned eight selections during his career, appearing in the after the 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, and 1998 seasons. These honors included seven consecutive appearances from 1990 to 1996, reflecting his consistent impact as a hard-hitting who combined physicality with coverage skills. His total of eight Pro Bowl nods ties for the second-most in history. Pro Bowl selections are determined by a consensus process where votes from fans, players, and coaches each count for one-third of the total. Atwater received All-Pro recognition three times, earning first-team honors in 1991 and 1992 for his standout play that included leading the Broncos in tackles those seasons, and second-team honors in 1996. These accolades highlighted his role in bolstering Denver's secondary during a period of defensive resurgence. The All-Pro teams are selected annually by a nationwide panel of up to 50 media members who evaluate players based on performance metrics and impact. Beyond these, Atwater was named to the NFL's All-Decade Team for the at , recognizing his contributions to the league's elite defensive backs over that era. He also won the Defensive MVP award in 1995, a team honor that underscored his leadership on a unit that improved significantly in run defense. Atwater led the Broncos in tackles in both 1993 (with 141) and 1995 (with 103), seasons that aligned with his statistical peaks and helped anchor the team's run-stopping efforts.

Hall of Fame inductions

Steve Atwater's induction into the came on February 1, 2020, when he was selected as part of the , honoring the NFL's centennial alongside other modern-era players. Due to the , the enshrinement ceremony was postponed and held on August 7, 2021, in , where Atwater delivered an eight-minute speech expressing gratitude to his family, coaches, and teammates, particularly highlighting the support from his wife, Teri, and former Broncos safety Dennis Smith, who presented him. His election followed a 16-year wait on the ballot, having first become eligible five years after his 1999 retirement, during which he was a semifinalist from 2012 to 2020 and a finalist in 2016, 2019, and 2020. Earlier, in 2005, Atwater was inducted into the Ring of Fame as its 20th member, recognizing his decade-long tenure with the team from 1989 to 1998; the ceremony took place on October 9, 2005, at Invesco Field at Mile High (now ) during a home game against the Washington Redskins. Atwater's honors extended to college and regional levels, including his 2013 induction into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame, where he was celebrated alongside other local sports figures for his professional accomplishments in the state. In 2018, he was elected to the Hall of Fame for his standout career at the from 1985 to 1988, with the induction ceremony held on September 10, 2018, at . Most recently, Atwater was elected to the National High School Football Hall of Fame on January 23, 2025, as part of the Class of 2025, honoring his prep career at Lutheran North High School in , ; he was formally inducted on June 14, 2025, in . These inductions underscore Atwater's enduring impact, built on a career featuring eight selections and two victories that solidified his reputation as one of the NFL's premier safeties.

Personal life and legacy

Family and post-NFL pursuits

Atwater has been married to Letha Atwater since the early , with the couple celebrating over 30 years together by 2021. They have four children, including sons Stephen, DiAndre, and , two of whom played . The family has resided in the , Georgia area since the early 2000s. Following his retirement from the after the 1999 season, Atwater founded a management company and pursued investments in commercial and the . In 2019, he joined Empower as an ambassador, promoting wealth management and financial planning services. He also serves as a community ambassador for the , engaging fans and supporting team initiatives. Atwater has been active in through his Broncos role, co-hosting charity events such as a 2022 dinner benefiting the Hall of Fame Health Fund. He participates in youth football clinics, including a 2025 event in organized by the Broncos to promote the sport among students. Additionally, he has supported community programs like the Sims-Fayola Foundation in . As of 2025, Atwater featured in the 2022 documentary Steve Atwater: The Road to Canton, which chronicles his Hall of Fame journey and was nominated for a Heartland Emmy Award. He provides occasional NFL media commentary, including breakdowns of Broncos training camp and game previews on the team's digital platforms and YouTube.

Impact on football

Steve Atwater epitomized the hard-hitting safety of his era, earning the nickname "Smiling Assassin" from former Broncos assistant coach Charlie Waters during a 1989 training camp practice for his ability to deliver devastating tackles while maintaining a cheerful demeanor. His playing style emphasized physicality in run support, blending the size and aggression of a linebacker with the coverage skills of a defensive back, which influenced 1990s NFL defensive trends toward more versatile and intimidating secondaries. Atwater's approach deterred receivers crossing the middle and running backs advancing into the open field, setting a standard for safeties who could disrupt plays at multiple levels. As a cornerstone of the Denver Broncos' defense, Atwater was instrumental in the team's back-to-back Super Bowl victories in 1997 and 1998, where his tackling and leadership elevated the franchise from consistent contenders to champions. His presence helped transform the Broncos into a defensive powerhouse, starting in 155 games over 10 seasons and contributing to the unit's reputation for toughness during a period of offensive dominance in the league. Atwater's influence extended to mentoring and inspiring subsequent safeties, such as John Lynch, who admired his hybrid skill set and emulated elements of his aggressive style early in his Tampa Bay Buccaneers career. Atwater paved the way for modern hybrid safeties by demonstrating how players could excel in both run defense near the and pass coverage deep, a versatility that foreshadowed the multifaceted roles safeties play today. His career sparked ongoing discussions about rule changes post-retirement, particularly regarding helmet-to-helmet penalties, as his signature hits exemplified the physicality that later prompted stricter enforcement to enhance player safety. These evolutions reflect how Atwater's style pushed the league to balance aggressive play with injury prevention. In Denver sports history, Atwater remains an enduring icon, his eight selections underscoring his role as a prototype for versatile defensive backs who combined intimidation with technical proficiency. His legacy as a feared yet respected competitor continues to resonate, symbolizing the Broncos' golden era and the evolution of the safety position.

References

  1. https://www.profootballhof.com/players/steve-atwater/
  2. https://arkansasrazorbacks.com/atwater-named-to-swc-hall-of-fame/
  3. https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/steve-atwater-elected-to-national-high-school-football-hall-of-fame
  4. https://www.profootballhistory.com/steve-atwater/
  5. https://www.milehighreport.com/2020/2/9/21129494/broncos-steve-atwater-pro-football-hall-of-fame-induction
  6. https://www.stltoday.com/sports/other/from-lutheran-north-to-pro-football-hall-of-fame-for-atwater/article_53707eeb-d043-599b-9762-bce45ba19cd8.html
  7. https://www.lncrusaders.org/news-detail?pk=1029100
  8. http://www.espn.com/nfl/profiles/profile/1481.html
  9. https://www.wholehogsports.com/news/2020/apr/23/steve-atwaters-play-still-hit-2-decades-after-play/
  10. https://www.denverpost.com/2021/08/07/steve-atwater-broncos-hall-of-fame-career-high-school-experience/
  11. https://hitthatline.com/thomas-says-hogs-knew-early-atwater-was-going-to-be-great-one/
  12. https://www.espn.com/nfl/profiles/profile/1481.html
  13. https://www.stlshof.com/steve-atwater/
  14. https://www.profootballhof.com/blogs/2020/04/blogs-hall-of-fame-experiences-class-of-2020-college-spotlight-steve-atwater-at-arkansas/
  15. https://arkansasrazorbacks.com/atwater-officially-inducted-into-swc-hall-of-fame/
  16. https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/steve-atwater-southwest-conference-hall-of-fame
  17. https://www.si.com/nfl/broncos/onsi/news/broncos-history-pick-20-nfl-draft-steve-atwater
  18. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AtwaSt00.htm
  19. https://www.newyorkjets.com/history/hall-of-fame/steve-atwater
  20. https://www.denverbroncos.com/team/tradition/ring-of-fame/steve-atwater
  21. https://www.milehighreport.com/2019/1/23/18193922/steve-atwater-smiling-assassin-hall-of-fame-nfl-denver-broncos
  22. https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/sacco-sez-the-decision-that-brought-steve-atwater-to-denver
  23. https://www.nytimes.com/1997/12/17/sports/pro-football-rice-s-2d-knee-injury-ends-a-lost-season.html
  24. https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/a-super-season-part-i-how-the-1997-broncos-were-fueled-by-a-gut-wrenching-playof
  25. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199801250den.htm
  26. https://www.profootballhof.com/blogs/2020/10/blogs-hall-of-fame-experiences-top-moments-of-steve-atwaters-hof-career/
  27. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199901310atl.htm
  28. https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/five-great-moments-from-steve-atwater-s-broncos-career
  29. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/atwater-jets-agree-to-contract/
  30. https://nypost.com/1999/03/03/tuna-plunges-into-atwater/
  31. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jets-waive-atwater-mirer/
  32. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/atwater-retires-as-a-bronco/
  33. https://www.denverpost.com/2017/08/17/conversation-steve-atwater/
  34. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AtwaSt00/gamelog/post/
  35. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/42629988/how-does-nfl-pro-bowl-voting-work
  36. https://apnews.com/article/nfl-all-pro-2024-cdf9837431c51929b072c357988bc024
  37. https://www.profootballhof.com/news/2010/01/news-nfl-s-all-decade-team-of-the-1990s-defense/
  38. https://www.coloradosports.org/hall-of-fame/athletes/2013-inductees/steve-atwater/
  39. https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/steve-atwater-elected-to-pro-football-hall-of-fame
  40. https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/full-transcript-steve-atwater-hall-of-fame-enshrinement-speech
  41. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1143866-whatever-happened-to-arkansas-and-denver-broncos-legend-steve-atwater
  42. https://www.denverpost.com/2009/06/22/moss-atwater-a-big-hitter-even-in-retirement/
  43. https://vault.si.com/vault/2006/04/03/brother-beware
  44. https://www.empower.com/sports-ambassadors/steve-atwater
  45. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/2741802/2021/08/02/former-broncos-safety-steve-atwater-paved-way-to-hall-of-fame-with-big-hits-bigger-heart/
  46. https://flounder-oval-y3an.squarespace.com/s/HOFH-Denver-Sponsorship-Deck-55x85-2022-06-09-v8-DIGITAL.pdf
  47. https://www.denverbroncos.com/video/watch-ahead-of-london-game-broncos-host-flag-football-clinic-for-grey-court-school
  48. https://www.facebook.com/SIMSFAYOLAFOUNDATION/posts/huge-shoutout-of-appreciation-to-former-denver-broncos-player-and-nfl-pro-footba/925762412919206/
  49. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kP3__h6GeV8
  50. https://www.denverbroncos.com/video/hof-steve-atwater-s-day-4-training-camp-takeaways-broncos-camp-breakdown
  51. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=re5hpmbviAA
  52. https://www.denverpost.com/2019/01/20/steve-atwater-hall-of-famer-says-charlie-waters/
  53. https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/hitting-it-big-john-elway-explains-how-steve-atwater-changed-the-game
  54. https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/tales-from-the-draft-how-free-agency-misfortune-turned-into-a-decade-of-success-
  55. https://www.milehighreport.com/2021/7/18/22581577/john-lynch-pays-tribute-to-broncos-steve-atwater
  56. https://www.si.com/nfl/broncos/onsi/news/legendary-s-ronnie-lott-weighs-in-on-steve-atwaters-hall-of-fame-worthiness
  57. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/493785/2018/08/28/nfl-new-helmet-rule-safeties-penalties/
  58. https://thednvr.com/the-25-greatest-athletes-in-colorado-sports-history/
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