Geno Atkins facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Geno Atkins

Atkins with the Bengals in 2015
No. 97
Position:	Defensive tackle
Personal information
Born:	(1988-03-28) March 28, 1988 (age 37) Pembroke Pines, Florida, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:	300 lb (136 kg)
Career information
High school:	St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Florida)
College:	Georgia (2006–2009)
NFL Draft:	2010 / Round: 4 / Pick: 120
Career history
Cincinnati Bengals (2010)
Career highlights and awards
5× First-team All-Pro (2011, 2012, 2015–2017) 8× Pro Bowl (2011, 2012, 2014–2019) NFL 2010s All-Decade Team First-team All-SEC (2007) Second-team All-SEC (2009)
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles: 384 Sacks: 75.5 Safeties: 1 Forced fumbles: 8 Fumble recoveries: 2 Pass deflections: 6 Defensive touchdowns: 1
Player stats at PFR

Geno Atkins Jr. is a former American football player. He was a defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs. The Cincinnati Bengals picked him in the 2010 NFL draft. Atkins was chosen as a first-team All-Pro five times. He also played in the Pro Bowl eight times.

Early Life and High School Football

Geno Atkins was born in Pembroke Pines, Florida, on March 28, 1988. He went to St. Thomas Aquinas in Fort Lauderdale. He helped his high school team reach the Class 5A state finals in 2004 and 2005.

In 2004, as a junior, Atkins made 70 tackles. He also had one interception and four fumble recoveries. In 2005, during his senior year, he had 117 tackles and 7.5 sacks. He also forced four fumbles and recovered two. After this great season, he was named the Florida Class 5A Defensive Player of the Year.

Track and Field Skills

Atkins was also a top athlete in track and field. He was very good at throwing events. He threw the discus 48.35 meters in 2006. He also tied for first place in the shot put event, throwing it 18.01 meters.

College Football Career at Georgia

Atkins went to the University of Georgia. He played for the Georgia Bulldogs football team from 2006 to 2009. As a freshman, he played in 11 games and made nine tackles.

In 2007, Atkins started to play a lot more. He was a backup but still made a big impact. He was one of the top players in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) for tackles that resulted in lost yardage. He became a starter later that season. He was the first defensive tackle since 1995 to lead the team in tackles in a game. After a strong season, he was named First-team All-SEC.

Funny Moment at the Sugar Bowl

Before the 2008 Sugar Bowl, Atkins had a funny moment. He asked for an autograph and took a photo with Hawaii's quarterback, Colt Brennan. His teammates joked that he was acting like a "groupie." But during the game, Atkins still sacked Brennan, forcing him out of the game!

In 2008, Atkins continued to play well. He helped his team's defense sack Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow six times. Atkins said they wanted to "pressure him" because "no one really works that well under pressure." In 2009, he was considered one of the best defensive tackles in the nation before the season started.

Professional NFL Career

The Cincinnati Bengals chose Geno Atkins in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL draft. He was the 12th defensive tackle picked that year.

Starting His NFL Journey (2010)

In July 2010, the Bengals signed Atkins to a four-year contract. He started his first NFL game in Week 14. He finished his first season with 16 tackles and three sacks.

Becoming a Star (2011)

In 2011, Atkins became a starting defensive tackle for the Bengals. He had a great season with 47 tackles and 7.5 sacks. He led the Bengals in sacks. He was chosen for his first Pro Bowl that year. The Bengals made it to the playoffs, and Atkins had a sack in his first playoff game.

Dominating the Field (2012)

Atkins continued to be a top player in 2012. He had two sacks in the first game of the season. He also had two sacks against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He had a season-high six tackles and forced two fumbles against the Kansas City Chiefs. He finished the 2012 season with an amazing 12.5 sacks and 54 tackles. He was voted to the 2013 Pro Bowl and earned first-team All-Pro honors. Other players ranked him as the 36th best player in the NFL.

Injury and Comeback (2013-2014)

In September 2013, Atkins signed a big five-year contract with the Bengals. However, in October, he tore his ACL (a knee ligament) and had to miss the rest of the season. He finished 2013 with 20 tackles and six sacks in nine games.

He worked hard to come back in 2014. He played in all 16 games. He even made his first career safety against the Houston Texans. He finished the season with 34 tackles and three sacks. He was chosen as an alternate for the 2015 Pro Bowl and later played in it.

Atkins at Bengals training camp in 2014

Continued Success (2015-2017)

In 2015, Atkins had a career-high 11 sacks and 42 tackles. He was voted to the 2016 Pro Bowl and was a team captain. The Bengals won their division that year.

In 2016, he had nine sacks and 32 tackles. He was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week for a game where he had three sacks. He was voted to the 2017 Pro Bowl.

In 2017, Atkins had another strong season with nine sacks and 46 tackles. He was named to his sixth Pro Bowl.

Later Career and Retirement (2018-2020)

In August 2018, Atkins signed a new contract extension with the Bengals. He had a great 2018 season with ten sacks and 45 tackles. He was named to his seventh Pro Bowl.

In 2019, he recorded 4.5 sacks and 47 tackles. He was named to his eighth Pro Bowl. He was also named to the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team, which means he was one of the best players of the entire decade!

Atkins alongside Jurrell Casey at the 2020 Pro Bowl

In 2020, Atkins played in eight games but had only one tackle due to a shoulder injury. He had surgery for his shoulder and was placed on injured reserve. The Bengals released him in March 2021.

NFL Career Statistics

Personal Life

Geno Atkins married his college sweetheart, Kristen Merritt, on June 25, 2016. His father, Gene Atkins, was also a former NFL player.

See also

In Spanish: Geno Atkins para niños