Steve Atwater Biography

Stephen Dennis Atwater, born October 28, 1966, was an American professional football player who played as a safety for the Denver Broncos in the National Football League. Atwater earned eight Pro Bowl selections and won two Super Bowl championships during his NFL career. He formed a formidable defensive backfield with Dennis Smith, known for their aggressive tackling on opposing players. During his junior year in high school, Atwater recorded 1,097 passing yards, placing him sixth on Lutheran North's all-time list for a single season. In 1988, he contributed to the Arkansas Razorbacks' 10–2 season and their Southwest Conference title, though they lost to UCLA and quarterback Troy Aikman in the 1989 Cotton Bowl Classic. Atwater was honored as a member of the Razorback All-Century Team and the All-Decade Team for the 1980s in 1994. He was chosen by the Denver Broncos with the 20th overall pick in the 1989 NFL Draft, launching his professional football career.