During 10 years with the Denver Broncos, Steve Atwater made his mark on the franchise and the NFL as one of the hardest-hitting safeties ever. In recognition of his exceptional talent, Atwater became a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2020, which is the third time he's been a finalist. As the final vote approaches, DenverBroncos.com will speak with a number of people who experienced Atwater's impact on the game firsthand.
We continue the series with Hall of Fame wide receiver James Lofton. Lofton, an eight-time Pro Bowler, was the NFL's all-time leader in receiving yards when he retired after the 1993 season and is a member of the NFL 1980s All-Decade Team. From 1989 to 1992, Lofton was a member of the Bills and faced off against Atwater and the Broncos three times in that span, including in the 1991 AFC Championship Game. In part because of that experience, Lofton believes Atwater should be inducted in 2020.
Now, in his own words, here is why Lofton believes Atwater deserves to hit it big and be elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
"In the AFC Championship Game, in Buffalo, it was a game we ended up winning 10-7. I caught a little hitch on the sideline and whoever the corner was kind of spun me around, and Steve came and hit me flush in my face. Didn't knock me over and the next guy tackled me. We're running the no-huddle offense, so I get up. And I'm lined up right near our sideline, and everybody's yelling at me. I just run the play, [and then] line up for the next play, and I hear, 'Loft, stop!' I go, 'What are they talking about?' Then I felt something, and blood was just dripping down my nose onto my shoes. He had broken my nose. ... This little hump right here, the reason I can't smell is because of Steve Atwater. ...
"[My admiration for Steve] was already there. It's funny how you are drawn to players you are competing against because of a kind of a quirk. My wife is from Arkansas. Where'd he play? University of Arkansas. So when he comes into the league, I'm not playing the Broncos every year, but I watch him play and I watch how physical he is. I had a coach in Green Bay that when we played against somebody like a Steve Atwater — we played against Doug Plank with the Bears and a couple other big hitters — Lew Carpenter would say, 'You better get one of those chin straps and double up with the double straps on it.' That's the type of player that Steve Atwater was. You knew when you got off the bus that he was going to be coming after you. And I just thought — and I've been a Hall of Fame selector, this will be my third year. He's just one of the guys that is always high on my list. I think hopefully this year he has another shot at it. I just have a lot of admiration for him as a player. He was big, he was fast, he was strong. He could do everything that today's outside linebackers do, and he did it when he was playing safety. ...
"[Back then, safeties] were enforcers. Steve, now, with the way he played the game probably would not earn any money every week because he'd have to dole it out in fines. ... But he was just a tremendous player. He had great speed, great tackling ability, great ball skills. He was everything that you wanted. ...
"When I look at guys [for Hall of Fame induction], I look at three loose criteria:
"Did he have a 10- or 12-year career?
"Check that off, yes.
"For four or five of those years, did you consider him one of the two or three best at his position in the league?
"Check that one off again, yes.
"Did he give his team a chance to play for championships — not necessarily did they win championships, but did he give his team the chance to play for championships?
"You check that one off again.
"So, in my mind, he checks off all those first three boxes. Now you start to compare him against not just his positional group, but the rest of the Hall of Famers who are in there. When he's down to those last 15, that's who he's now being compared against. ... And Steve is one of those humble players. He's not out there pounding his chest talking about how great he was, but he really was great."
Photos from Broncos legend Steve Atwater's Ring of Fame career with the Broncos.
San Diego: Steve Atwater blitzes from the blindside and sacks Brett Favre on the Green Bay 33 during Green Bays first possession of the second quarter. The fumble was recovered by Neil Smith and led to a 51 yard field goal by Jason Elam against the Green Bay Packers at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, CA on January 25, 1998.
Kansas City: Maa Tanuvasa, Steve Atwater, and John Mobley gang tackle a Chiefs running back as the Broncos team defense performed tremendously during the second round playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO on January 4, 1998.
San Diego: Alfred Williams congratulates Steve Atwater after he scored a touchdown on an interception return against the San Diego Chargers at Jack Murphy Stadium in San Diego, CA on November 30, 1997.
John Elway and Steve Atwater are all smiles in the locker room after a win against the Seattle Seahawks September 8, 1996. John Elway and Steve Atwater are all smiles in the locker room after a win against the Seattle Seahawks September 8, 1996.
Steve Atwater celebrates after an interception against the Miami Dolphins at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, FL on December 21, 1998.
Denver Broncos' Steve Atwater (27) and Neil Smith (90) celebrate their Super Bowl victory with teammates as they hold up the Vince Lombardi trophy after defeating the Packers at San Diego's Qualcomm Stadium Sunday, Jan. 25, 1998. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Steve Atwater gets ready on defense against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Mile High Stadium in Denver, CO on October 25, 1998.
San Diego: Antonio Freeman catches a 13 yard pass from Favre on a third and nine and gets the first down despite a big hit by Steve Atwater. This was the third play of the game, the opening drive against the Green Bay Packers at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, CA on January 25, 1998.
Steve Atwater runs onto the field during the pre-game announcements against the Oakland Raiders at Mile High Stadium in Denver, CO on November 22, 1998.
Denver Broncos safety Steve Atwater (27) is seen in action during an NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams Nov. 6, 1994, in Anaheim, Calif. (NFL Photos via AP)
San Diego: Steve Atwater blitzes from the blindside and sacks Brett Favre on the Green Bay 33 during Green Bays first possession of the second quarter. The fumble was recovered by Neil Smith and led to a 51 yard field goal by Jason Elam against the Green Bay Packers at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, CA on January 25, 1998.
Steve Atwater celebrates his victory against the Atlanta Falcons at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, FL on January 31, 1999.
Steve Atwater awaits the snap of the ball against the New York Jets at Mile High Stadium in Denver, CO on January 17, 1999.
Safety Steve Atwater and tackle Jumpy Geathers celebrate after tackling a Buccaneer ball carrier during a September 15, 1996 win (27-23) over Tampa Bay.
Denver Broncos safety Steve Atwater (27) jumps into the air in an attempt to block Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre's pass during the third quarter of Super Bowl XXXII at San Diego's Qualcomm Stadium Sunday, Jan. 25, 1998. At left is Packers' Dorsey Levens (25) and guard Adam Timmerman (63). (AP Photo/John Gaps III)
Steve Atwater cheers on his teammates against the Philadelphia Eagles at Mile High Stadium in Denver, CO on October 4, 1998.
San Diego: Steve Atwater jogs into the endzone with a smile after returning an interception for a touchdown against the San Diego Chargers at Jack Murphy Stadium in San Diego, CA on November 30, 1997.
Kansas City: Steve Atwater hit quarterback Elvis Grbac after he throws. The defense applied pressure to Grbac all day long, sacking him four times against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO on January 4, 1998.
