Steve Atwater facts for kids

Stephen Dennis Atwater (born October 28, 1966) is a former professional football player from the United States. He played as a safety for the Denver Broncos in the National Football League (NFL). He was chosen for the Pro Bowl eight times and won the Super Bowl championship twice. Atwater was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on February 1, 2020.

Atwater and his teammate Dennis Smith were known as a tough safety duo for the Broncos. They were famous for their powerful hits on opposing players.

Early Life and High School Sports

Steve Atwater grew up in St. Louis, Missouri. He went to Lutheran High School North. There, he was a top athlete, playing football, basketball, and running track. In football, he was a quarterback and was named the most valuable player in his league. He often credits his high school coach, Mike Russell, for helping him become a great football player and a good person.

College Football Career

Atwater decided to play college football at the University of Arkansas. He changed his position from quarterback to safety. He was so good that he was named to the All-Southwest Conference team three times. He was also recognized as an All-American player twice.

In his senior year, Atwater helped his team win the Southwest Conference championship. They finished the season with a great record of 10 wins and 2 losses. He also played in the East West Shrine Game, where he made two interceptions and was named the defensive most valuable player.

Steve Atwater still holds the record at the University of Arkansas for the most interceptions in a college career, with 14. In 1994, he was chosen for the Razorback All-Century Team. He was also inducted into the University of Arkansas Sports Hall of Honor in 1998.

Professional Football Journey

The Denver Broncos picked Steve Atwater in the first round of the 1989 NFL draft. He was the 20th player chosen overall. His new coach, Wade Phillips, used Atwater close to the line of scrimmage to help stop opposing teams' running plays. In his first year, Atwater led the team with 129 tackles. The Broncos' defense improved a lot that season. Atwater finished second in the voting for Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Atwater's second season was the first of seven straight years he was chosen for the Pro Bowl. This is a special game where the best players from each conference play against each other. He was selected for the Pro Bowl eight times in his career, which is one of the most in Broncos history. He and fellow safety Dennis Smith formed one of the best safety duos of their time. Both players were later honored in the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame. During his 10 years with the Broncos, Atwater started 155 games.

One of Atwater's most famous moments happened on September 17, 1990. During a game against the Kansas City Chiefs, he made a huge hit on their powerful running back, Christian Okoye. This hit was so memorable that his coach, Mike Shanahan, said it was the hit people would always remember him for.

Super Bowl Success

Steve Atwater played one of the best games of his career in Super Bowl XXXII. He had six solo tackles, one sack, and forced a fumble. His strong play helped stop the Green Bay Packers' running game. His sack and forced fumble led to important points for the Broncos. Near the end of the game, with the score tied, Atwater knocked down a crucial pass, forcing the Packers to punt. Later, his powerful hit on a Packers receiver helped seal the win for the Broncos. Many people thought Atwater should have been named the Most Valuable Player of that Super Bowl.

Super Bowl XXXII was a highlight for Atwater. Even though his play changed a bit in 1998, he was still voted as a Pro Bowl starter for the eighth and final time. The Broncos went on to win the Super Bowl again that year, making it two championships in a row. This was Atwater's last game with the Broncos.

After the 1998 season, Atwater joined the New York Jets for one year in 1999. After that season, he decided to retire. He asked the Broncos owner, Pat Bowlen, if he could retire as a Bronco. He signed a special one-day contract to officially retire with the team he loved. He said, "I bleed orange and will always bleed orange and blue," showing his strong connection to the Broncos. Atwater played in 155 straight games for the Broncos. Pat Bowlen called him one of the Broncos' "greatest players."

Legacy and Hall of Fame

Steve Atwater was inducted into the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame in 2005. This honor recognizes the best players in the team's history. In 2017, he started working for the Broncos' website and as a fan development manager.

Atwater was considered for the Pro Football Hall of Fame for many years. After 16 years of waiting, he was finally selected for the 2020 Hall of Fame class on February 1, 2020. This is one of the highest honors a football player can receive.