Another picture from the 1963 NFL Championship as Giants QB YA Tittle gets the pass away as Bears Earl Leggett and Doug Atkins force the issue. Giants tackle Jack Stroud, #66, is in the background.
YA Tittle, Giants throws against Doug Atkins & Earl Leggett of the Bears in 1963
With 1st & Goal on the Bears 3, Doug Atkins crashes through to drop the Giants Joe Morrison for no gain. From the 1963 Giants/Bears NFL Championship game Chicago held and New York would have to settle for a field goal as the Bears would go on the win 14-10. For Chicago, it was their first NFL Title in 16 years. It would be another 22 before they would win another one.
Doug Atkins stops Joe Morrison, 1963 Bears & Giants, NFL Championship
Saints and the Packers in 1968 – Doug Atkins and Bart Starr after Starr has just been dropped for a loss. The Packers won this contest 29-7 but the Saints defense got to Green Bay quarterback 5 times – Starr 4 times and Bratkowski once.
The Saints Doug Atkins sacks Bart Starr in 1968
Big Doug Atkins gets set to take down Atlanta Falcon quarterback Randy Johnson in 1967. After terrorizing offenses for 14 seasons in Cleveland and Chicago Atkins headed South and joined the expansion Saints in New Orleans where he continued his trade another 3 years.
Doug Atkins rushing Randy Johnson – 1967 Saints & Falcons
Bears terror Doug Atkins closes in on Viking rookie quarterback Ron Vander Kelen in this 1963 showdown between Minnesota and Chicago. The Bears won 28-7.
Doug Atkins rushing rookie Ron Vander Kelen in1963
The Eagles top runner in 1961 – Clarence Peaks dashes into hole against the Bears defense as Big Doug Atkins closes in. Other Eagles here are lineman John Wittenborn (#62) and Gene Gossage (#79) while #83 in the background is longtime Eagles kicker & Receiver Bobby Walston.
Clarence Peaks runs past Doug Atkins – Eagles & Bears 1961
Picture of Chicago Bears lineman Doug Atkins from a game program
Doug Atkins
Early 1960s NFL – Colts & Bears. Bears linebacker Bill George (#61) along with Richie Petitbon (#17), and possibly Doug Atkins take down Baltimore QB Johnny Unitas. Colt #85 is End Dee Mackey.
Johnny Unitas is sacked By Chicago Bears Bill George, Doug Atkins and Richie Petitbon
Giants quarterback Earl Morrall comes under some duress from Bears Dick Evey and Doug Atkins. Morrall spent 3 seasons with the Giants. He was the starter in 1965, won 7 games and threw 22 touchdowns.
Giants QB Earl Morrall Rushed by Bears Dick Evey & Doug Atkins
Veteran Packers lineman Bob Skoronski drops low to thwart Saints defensive end Doug Atkin’s charge as Bart Starr gets the pass off. As a Saint in 1968, Big Doug had the most sacks of his 17-year career — an unofficial 12.5 sacks.
Doug Atkins puts pressure on Bart Starr – Saints vs Packers 1968
After an already illustrious career between the Browns and Bears that spanned 14 seasons Doug Atkins joined the newly formed New Orleans Saints in 1967 and played another 3 seasons at an unusually high level. He is unofficially credited with 30 sacks during that time.
Doug Atkins, 1967 Saints PR Photo
From the 1963 NFL Title Game between New York and Chicago. Giants QB YA Tittle has his leg rolled up during the 1st quarter as Bears linebacker Larry Morris (#33) comes in low. Big Doug Atkins (#81) comes in to assist. Tittle played the rest of the game hurting.
Larry Morris & Doug Atkins injure YA Tittle during the 1963 Bears/Giants Title Game
Packers veteran offensive lineman Bob Skoronski (#76) has his hands full as he tries to keep the mammoth Doug Atkins (#81) away from quarterback Bart Starr (#15). picture taken from the 1968 showdown between the Saints and Packers. Despite 5 sacks by the Saints defense, the Packers won 27-7.
Doug Atkins Rushing Bart Starr in 1968
The 6-foot, 8-inch terror during the final season of his 17-year, quarterback terrorizing career as a Saint in 1969.
Doug Atkins, New Orleans Saints Defensive Lineman
Bears Greats Bill George, Doug Atkins and George Conner
Vikngs quarterback Joe Kapp works to elude the advances of Saints lineman Doug Atkins in 1968.
Doug Atkins chasing Joe Kapp | Vikings vs Saints in 1968
Here comes Bill Brown (#30)! Th eVikings fullback has a full head of steam as he blasts past Bears defenders Doug Atkins (#81), Ed O’ Bradovich (#87) & Dave Whitsell (#23). In 1966 Bill Brown was the NFL’s #4 leading rusher with 829 yards.
Bill Brown of the Vikings and Ed O’ Bradovich, Doug Atkins & Dave Whitsell of the Bears in 1966 NFL
Bears defensive ends Doug Atkins (#81) & Dick Evey (#79) converge on Packers quarterback Bart Starr (#15).
Doug Atkins & Dick Evey Sack Bart Starr
Bears Hall of Famers Bill George (#61) and Doug Atkins (#81) together on the Chicago sideline. (Photo credit Getty Images and Rob Rigor)
Bill George and Doug Atkins on Bears Bench
Big Doug Atkins – as a Saint around the end of his 17-year NFL career. Credited with 30 sacks during his last 3 years in the league. The Rams Les Josephson (#34) looks o n from a distance.
Doug Atkins Saints, Les Josephson Rams
NFL action from, we think 1960. Packers great Paul Hornung carries against the Chicago Bears defense. Those players identifiable in the picture are some of the best known players in the league at the time.
For Green Bay we have All Pro Forrest Gregg (#75), All Pro Paul Hornung (#5), All Pro Jim Ringo (#51), Fuzzy Thurston (#63) and All Pro Jerry Kramer (#64). For the Bears defense – Larry Morris (#33), Bill Bishop (#73), Earl Leggett (#71), Pro Bowler Doug Atkins (#81) and All Pro Bill George (#61).
Paul Hornung of the Packers Carries Against the Bears Defense in 1960
Some classic old school NFL. Bears and Colts. Doug Atkins and another unidentifiable Bear defender assail Colts QB Johnny Unitas. Fullback Alan Ameche along with the great Jim Parker (#77) keep them at bay.
Classic Old School NFL – Colts & Bears. Johnny Unitas, Doug Atkins, Jim Parker and Alan Ameche
As a Bear defender lays a ferocious hit on the Packers Jim Taylor, the ball hits the ground as Doug Atkins (#81) and Grambling product Rosey Taylor (#24) get set to pounce on it.
Jim Taylor Fumbles as Doug Atkins & Rosey Taylor Move In
1968 NFL action between Packers & Saints. 11-year veteran Bob Skoronski struggles to protect his quarterback Bart Starr from the savage onslaught brought on by Saints defender Doug Atkins (#81)
Doug Atkins Rushing Bart Starr in 1968
Jon Arnett of the LA Rams give big Doug Atkins of the Chicago Bears the slip and wastes no time heading upfield.
Jon Arnett gets away from Doug Atkins
If you’ve ever wondered how Doug Atkins got so strong it was because he worked out with the Astro-Gym! From a 1968 ad when he was nearing the end of his career in New Orleans.
Doug Atkins 1968 Workout Ad
The last 3 years of a 15 year Hall of Fame career were spent in New Orleans with the newly formed New Orleans Saints. Despite a lack of wins the Saints bolstered a feisty hard-hitting defense led by the veteran.
Defender Doug Atkins New Orleans Saints
The towering 6-foot 8-inch Hall of Fame defensive end shown in a game program photo from 1964.
Doug Atkins Chicago Bears Defensive Lineman in 1963
1969 Preseason – Doug Atkins and Dave Long apply pressure to Bill Munson of the Lions. Note the black helmets worn by Atkins and Long.
Doug Atkins 1969 New Orleans Saints in Black Helmets
Hall of Fame Defensive lineman in the NFL from 1953 to 1969. All Pro in 1963. Played in 8 Pro Bowls.
Doug Atkins
Hall of Fame Defensive lineman in the NFL from 1953 to 1969. All Pro in 1963. Played in 8 Pro Bowls.
Doug Atkins
Hall of Fame Defensive lineman in the NFL from 1953 to 1969. All Pro in 1963. Played in 8 Pro Bowls.
Doug Atkins
Hall of Fame Defensive lineman in the NFL from 1953 to 1969. All Pro in 1963. Played in 8 Pro Bowls.
Doug Atkins
Hall of Fame Defensive lineman in the NFL from 1953 to 1969. All Pro in 1963. Played in 8 Pro Bowls.
Doug Atkins
Hall of Fame Defensive lineman in the NFL from 1953 to 1969. All Pro in 1963. Played in 8 Pro Bowls.
Doug Atkins
Hall of Fame Defensive lineman in the NFL from 1953 to 1969. All Pro in 1963. Played in 8 Pro Bowls.
Doug Atkins
Hall of Fame Defensive lineman in the NFL from 1953 to 1969. All Pro in 1963. Played in 8 Pro Bowls.
Doug Atkins
Hall of Fame Defensive lineman in the NFL from 1953 to 1969. All Pro in 1963. Played in 8 Pro Bowls.
Doug Atkins
Hall of Fame Defensive lineman in the NFL from 1953 to 1969. All Pro in 1963. Played in 8 Pro Bowls.
Doug Atkins
Saints defender Doug Atkins closes in on Redskin Quarterback Sonny Jurgensen
Sonny Jurgensen Under Pressure from Doug Atkins
Always thought Doug Atkins was a premium player, who was not recognized for his abilities on the field.