Richard E. "Ricky" Atkinson Jr. (born August 28, 1965) is a former professional American football player who played defensive back in 1987 for the New England Patriots in the National Football League.
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| Position: | Defensive back | ||
| Personal information | |||
| Born: | August 28, 1965 Middletown, Connecticut | ||
| Career information | |||
| College: | Southern Connecticut State | ||
| Undrafted: | 1987 | ||
| Career history | |||
| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||
| Career NFL statistics | |||
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| Player stats at NFL.com | |||
Atkinson played college football at Southern Connecticut State from 1983 to 1986 as a cornerback, where he was a four-year starter and a member of the Division II All-New England and All-ECAC Division II teams.[1][2] He was named a co-captain in 1985.[3] During his senior year, he set a school record for career interceptions and was named the New England Division II defensive player of the year and to the Kodak Coaches College Division All-American football team.[4][5][6] Atkinson also was named a 1986-87 New England Athlete of the Year.[7]
He signed with the New England Patriots in May 1987, before he was waived in late August.[8][9][10] Atkinson was a member of the Cincinnati Bengals and Phoenix Cardinals rosters during the 1987 National Football League Players Association strike, but was released before appearing in a game.[11] He then re-signed with the Patriots in October 1987.[12] Atkinson appeared in one game before being placed on waivers in late October.[13][14]
In May 1988, he signed with the Indianapolis Colts, but was released in July before the upcoming season began.[15][16]
References edit
- ^ "Notable". Hartford Courant. November 17, 1983. p. 179. Retrieved July 18, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Experienced defense spearheads Southern". Record-Journal. August 31, 1986. p. 58. Retrieved July 18, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Area Watch - December 12, 1985". Hartford Courant. December 12, 1985. p. 287. Retrieved July 18, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Bednar, Rudy (November 14, 1986). "Engineers should even season mark tomorrow". The Morning Call. p. 39. Retrieved July 18, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Area Watch - November 26, 1986". Hartford Courant. November 26, 1986. p. 83. Retrieved July 18, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Area Watch - December 04, 1986". Hartford Courant. December 4, 1986. p. 57. Retrieved July 18, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "College notebook". The Boston Globe. September 30, 1987. p. 59. Retrieved July 18, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Pats sign SCSU's Atkinson". Hartford Courant. May 3, 1987. p. 29. Retrieved July 18, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ The Associated Press (August 17, 1987). "Giants rally behind Simms to bear Patriots, 19-17". The Baltimore Sun. p. 34. Retrieved July 18, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Transactions". The Boston Globe. August 29, 1987. p. 32. Retrieved July 18, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "NFL Strike: Day 2". The Cincinnati Post. September 23, 1987. p. 31. Retrieved July 18, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Sullivan: Strike hurts in long run". The Boston Globe. October 9, 1987. p. 88. Retrieved July 18, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Ricky Atkinson statistics at Pro-Football-Reference". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
- ^ The Associated Press (October 24, 1987). "Gadbois waived by New England". Journal Tribune. p. 15. Retrieved July 18, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Bansch, John (May 3, 1988). "Hogeboom a no-show at QB school". The Indianapolis Star. p. 33. Retrieved July 18, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Trojan aide for UNCA?". The Asheville Times. July 20, 1988. p. 20. Retrieved July 18, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
External links edit
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