Ricky Atkinson
No. 22
Position:Defensive back
Personal information
Born: (1965-08-28) 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
Games played:1
Player stats at NFL.com

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.

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

  1. ↑ "Notable". Hartford Courant. November 17, 1983. p. 179. Retrieved July 18, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ↑ "Experienced defense spearheads Southern". Record-Journal. August 31, 1986. p. 58. Retrieved July 18, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ↑ "Area Watch - December 12, 1985". Hartford Courant. December 12, 1985. p. 287. Retrieved July 18, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ↑ Bednar, Rudy (November 14, 1986). "Engineers should even season mark tomorrow". The Morning Call. p. 39. Retrieved July 18, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ↑ "Area Watch - November 26, 1986". Hartford Courant. November 26, 1986. p. 83. Retrieved July 18, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ↑ "Area Watch - December 04, 1986". Hartford Courant. December 4, 1986. p. 57. Retrieved July 18, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ↑ "College notebook". The Boston Globe. September 30, 1987. p. 59. Retrieved July 18, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ↑ "Pats sign SCSU's Atkinson". Hartford Courant. May 3, 1987. p. 29. Retrieved July 18, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ↑ 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.
  10. ↑ "Transactions". The Boston Globe. August 29, 1987. p. 32. Retrieved July 18, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ↑ "NFL Strike: Day 2". The Cincinnati Post. September 23, 1987. p. 31. Retrieved July 18, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ↑ "Sullivan: Strike hurts in long run". The Boston Globe. October 9, 1987. p. 88. Retrieved July 18, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ↑ "Ricky Atkinson statistics at Pro-Football-Reference". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  14. ↑ The Associated Press (October 24, 1987). "Gadbois waived by New England". Journal Tribune. p. 15. Retrieved July 18, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ↑ Bansch, John (May 3, 1988). "Hogeboom a no-show at QB school". The Indianapolis Star. p. 33. Retrieved July 18, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ↑ "Trojan aide for UNCA?". The Asheville Times. July 20, 1988. p. 20. Retrieved July 18, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.


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