BLACK SOCIAL HISTORY Gene Renard Atkins Jr. (born March 28, 1988) is an American football defensive tackle for the Cincinnati Bengals of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) with six tackles for losses along with a sack.[5] On October 6, Atkins was named the starter over Weston[6] and in only his second game led the team in tackles against Vanderbilt.[7] He became the first defensive tackle to lead the team in tackles in a game since Jason Ferguson did it in 1995 and the first defensive lineman since David Pollackin 2003.[8] Following a game against Kentucky in which he had five tackles, he was named SEC defensive player of the week for the week of November 17.[1][9] Following, his sophomore season Atkins was named First-team All-SEC, and was the only player for Georgia other than running back Knowshon Moreno to be named to the team.[10] During the press conference forHawaii's quarterback Colt Brennan before the Sugar Bowl, Atkins asked for an autograph and took a photo with Brennan. Fellow Georgia defensive lineman Marcus Howard said of Atkins' antics during the press conference, "He was like acting like a groupie. All of us gave him grief for that."[11] Despite getting Brennan's autograph before the game, Atkins sacked him in the fourth quarter, forcing him out of the game.[12]
Two games into the 2008 season, Atkins already had eight tackles and nine quarterback hurries.[13] After the defense as a whole sacked Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow ofFlorida six times, Atkins said, "I think we rattled Tim Tebow and the offense. We wanted to pressure him. No one really works that well under pressure, not even the greatest quarterbacks. You put a little pressure on them, they're bound to flinch."[14] On November 14 against Auburn, Atkins came in on offense and was the lead blocker for Matthew Stafford on a quarterback sneak.[15] In the Capital One Bowl on January 2, 2009, against Michigan State, Atkins had one tackle and two quarterback hurries.[16]
In 2009, Atkins was listed at No. 5 on Rivals.com′s preseason defensive tackle power ranking.[17] He was also named to the 2009 Outland Trophy watch list.[18] In his three years after his freshman season, Atkins racked up 33 sacks, including 15 as a sophomore and 10.5 as a senior.[19]
Professional career
2010 NFL Combine
| Ht | Wt | 40-yd dash | 10-yd split | 20-yd split | 20-ss | 3-cone | Vert | Broad | BP | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft 2 in | 293 lb | 4.75 s | 1.64 s | 2.68 s | 4.43 s | 7.33 s | 33 in | 9 ft 9 in | 34 reps | ||||||||||
| All values from NFL Combine | |||||||||||||||||||
Cincinnati Bengals
Atkins was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the fourth round (120th overall) in the 2010 NFL Draft.
In his second season, Atkins became a full-time starter and led the team in sacks with 7.5, assisting the team to a 9-7 record and a playoff appearance. In the 2011 season he was tied for amount of sacks for a defensive tackle with Oakland's Tommy Kelly. Atkins was named to his first Pro Bowl in his second season as a starter after Vince Wilfork withdrew to participate in the Super Bowl.
In 2012, Atkins recorded 53 tackles, forced 4 fumbles, set a franchise record with 12.5 sacks, and was selected at a starter in the pro bowl as the Bengals made the playoffs for the second consecutive year. After an outstanding 2012, Geno Atkins is now regarded as one of the best defensive tackles in the NFL.
On September 2, 2013, Atkins agreed to a 5-year, $55 million extension with the Cincinnati Bengals. On October 31, 2013, Atkins tore his ACL in a game against the Miami Dolphins, and missed the rest of the season.[20]
Personal
During his freshman year at the University of Georgia, Atkins learned he suffers from Sickle cell trait.[21] He is also the son of former New Orleans Saints and Miami Dolphins safetyGene Atkins.[22]
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