NFL HOF Spotlight: Steve Atwater

This NFL Hall of Fame spotlight focuses on the legendary Denver Broncos safety Steve Atwater. With his ferocious hits, Atwater carved his name on the stones of American football. His hard-hitting and dominant plays make him one of the greatest NFL safeties of all time. Take a look into Atwater’s career and what made him a Pro Hall of Famer.

The Making of a Legend

Steve Atwater was born in Chicago, Illinois. He got his high school education at Lutheran High School North in St. Louis, Missouri. There, he put his energetic nature to good use by taking part in football, basketball, and track.

Starting out his high school football career as a quarterback, he won the MVP award as an option-style quarterback. He was also an All-Conference selection.

Atwater then signed for the University of Arkansas, where he was moved from quarterback to safety.

Atwater’s excellent performances in college football earned him the All-Southwest Conference honors three times. He was also named an All-American twice.

In his college career, Atwater recorded a total of 14 interceptions, returning them for 99 yards and scoring one touchdown. He still holds the school’s record for the highest number of college career interceptions  to date.

The Broncos saw a legend in the making and utilized their first-round pick on him in the 1989 NFL Draft.

Professional NFL Career

Atwater’s 11 seasons in the NFL were filled with electric moments. Playing for the Broncos in 10 of those seasons, he showed nothing but raw passion and dedication to both the team and the sport. During those years, he won two Super Bowls with the Broncos.

Transforming Denver Broncos’ Defense

The Broncos finished the 1988 season with an 8-8 record. That year, their defense sat at 27th place in the league’s rushing defense rankings.

Everything changed when they drafted Atwater the following year. The new defensive coordinator Wade Phillips immediately knew a player like Atwater would improve the team’s defense, especially against the run.

Phillips placed Atwater close to the line of scrimmage—a move that paid off instantly. Atwater finished the season as the Broncos’ tackle leader with 129 tackles.

He announced his presence early in the season in a game against the Los Angeles Raiders on September 24, 1989.

In that game, Atwater intercepted quarterback Jay Schroeder twice for his first and second career interceptions. Atwater’s solid performance helped the Broncos win the game 31-21.

His defensive agility was on show throughout his rookie season. He took the team’s defense from 27th place to 7th against the run. Atwater finished second in the Defensive Rookie of the Year voting, only behind Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Thomas.

Atwater had an even better second season. He finished the 1990 season with 173 tackles.

Iconic Christian Okoye Hit

One of the season’s highlights came on Monday Night Football. Christian Okoye, the Chief’s 260-pound “Nigerian Nightmare” met his match after running through a hole in the line of scrimmage.

Atwater gathered pace and lowered his right shoulder into Okoye, bringing the big man crashing to the grass. It was one of the most fearless hits in NFL history.

Filled with emotions, Atwater stood over Okoye and taunted him, making the moment even more dramatic.

The Broncos went on to win the thrilling game 24-23. The standout season earned Atwater his first Pro Bowl selection.

Atwater had made himself a rock on defense. He was brave and was always ready to take one for the team.

Pro Bowl and All-Pro Selections

Atwater made the first-team All-Pro in the 1991 season. Perhaps, 150 tackles, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery was more than convincing enough.

That year, he also had a career-high 5 interceptions and 104 return yards. Atwater then made his second first-team All-Pro in 1992 to crown off another stellar year.

The 1994 season was significantly challenging for the Broncos. They lost their first four games, recording their worst-ever start to a season.

After the bye week, they faced the Seattle Seahawks, looking to bounce off the poor performances. But it was Atwater to the rescue.

He intercepted quarterback Rick Mirer‘s third-and-11 pass and returned it 24 yards to Denver’s 33-yard line. A few moments later, Atwater was at it again.

This time, he recovered a forced fumble and returned it to Denver’s 30-yard line. That play reawakened the offense as John Elway scored a rushing touchdown.

Atwater continued to impress and in the 1996 season, he made the Second-team All-Pro. He also made his 7th consecutive Pro Bowl selection that year.

One of his standout moments of the 1996 season came in a Sunday Night Football win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. On the night, the Bucs were leading 13-10 and seemed in control of proceedings.

The Bucs running back Reggie Brooks charged up the middle, aiming for an opening that looked like a sure path to break free. Atwater closed in and ran his right shoulder into Brooks to knock him off his feet.

Super Bowl Victories

In the following season, Atwater and the Broncos worked their way to the Super Bowl XXXII. Despite battling with shoulder injuries all season, he was willing to carve out his heart to win that game.

In the game, Atwater stamped his authority near the line of scrimmage. In the second quarter of the game, he set up three critical points for the Broncos with his sack and forced fumble.

With the game tied at 24 late in the fourth quarter, the Green Bay Packers had the ball on a 3rd-and-8. But Atwater was there to help his team yet again.

He blitzed, breaking up a critical pass and forcing the Packers to punt.

Another phenomenal moment in the game came on the Packers’ final drive. Atwater lunged into a crunching hit on Robert Brooks.

The impact from the hit saw Atwater, Brooks, and Randy Hilliard go out injured. It was perhaps Atwater’s greatest career game, as he led the team to their first Super Bowl victory.

Although Atwater was relegated to only playing on first and second downs the following season, he made his eighth Pro Bowl selection. He featured in the Broncos’ Super Bowl XXXIII win against the Atlanta Falcons.

Atwater left the Broncos after the Super Bowl XXXIII and signed for the New York Jets for his final season in 1999. After the 1999 season, he left the Jets and became a free agent.

His love for the Broncos made him sign a one-day ceremonial contract before announcing his retirement.

In Atwater’s 11 seasons in the NFL, he recorded 1,188 total tackles, 6 forced fumbles, 8 fumble recoveries, and 5 sacks. He also made 24 interceptions, returning them for 408 yards, and scoring one touchdown.

Career Accolades

Atwater was a dominant safety with a distinguished NFL career. He earned himself two Super Bowl titles with the Broncos.

According to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Atwater made two First-team All-Pro and one Second-team All-Pro. He was an eight-time Pro Bowler.

Atwater’s rookie season was rewarded with a PFWA All-Rookie Team selection. He also made it into the NFL 1990s All-Decade Team.

Atwater was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020.

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