Before making his mark in the NFL, Atkins attended the University of Tennessee and played football under coach General Robert R. Neyland. He was a member of UT's 1951 national championship team and earned All-America status in 1952. He is considered by many to be the greatest defensive end in program history. Following his collegiate career, Atkins was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the 1953 NFL Draft. He helped the Browns to a division title in 1953 and the NFL Championship the following year. From there, he transitioned to the Chicago Bears, with whom he would spend the next 12 seasons and write his name in the history books. He won another NFL Championship with the Bears in 1963 and was a three-time All-Pro selection. He concluded his NFL career playing three years with the expansion New Orleans Saints.
In all, Atkins was an eight-time Pro Bowler, a 10-time All-Pro pick. He is a member of both the College Football Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall  of Fame and was inducted into the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame. His collegiate #91 was retired by Tennessee in 2005.Â
Happy birthday, Doug Atkins!
