One of the greatest defensive stars in Denver Broncos history, and hopefully a future Pro Football Hall of Famer, joined the team when it was pretty clear we would take a safety in the draft.
The year was 1989 and Ring of Famer Dan Reeves was the head coach.
We were coming off an 8-8 season and Dan wanted to give his defense a boost.
Wade Phillips was the defensive coordinator and Charlie Waters was the defensive backs coach.
There was much debate about two players, Atwater from Arkansas and another safety, Louis Oliver from Florida, and it finally came down to a draft-day discussion.
I remember the conversations in the draft room, as both guys had terrific college resumes.
Dan Reeves said he was happy with either player and turned to floor over to Phillips and Waters.
Eventually Wade turned to his defensive backs coach and asked Waters, "Which would you rather have?"
Charlie Waters said, "They are both great players. I want Atwater."
And so Dan placed a call to Steve Atwater and set in motion a path for one of our all-time great first-round draft picks to have a Ring of Fame career.
Waters later said, "There was just something about the presence of Steve Atwater that made him special, the greatest among greats. He had great physical skills combined with a perfect work ethic, along with great maturity and leadership abilities."
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.
Atwater plied his many skills as a Pro Bowl and All-Pro safety for three head coaches — Reeves, Phillips and eventually Mike Shanahan — for whom he was a vital cog in our teams that won consecutive Super Bowls in 1997 and 1998.
But his maturity, leadership and on-the-field greatness were apparent from the moment he arrived in the Mile High City.
Atwater had a great training camp in 1989 (he always had a great training camp) and on the day of the final cuts, the Broncos made the shocking move of waiving starting safety and team captain Mike Harden so that Atwater could start.
Reeves said, "This was a tough move to make, but Atwater simply has to start and be on the field for every play."
Atwater was a consensus All-Rookie selection and was named Defensive Rookie of the Year by Football Digest.
That decision to start him immediately reaped dividends as the Broncos won the AFC Championship and went to Super Bowl XXIV in Atwater's rookie season, a precursor to the kind of career he was to have.
Atwater had a brilliant 10-year career with the Broncos and eventually was inducted as the 20th member of the Ring of Fame.
He is regarded as one of the toughest safeties in the NFL while being voted to a franchise record-tying seven consecutive Pro Bowls from 1990-96, and his eight total Pro Bowl selections are tied for the second-most by a player in Broncos history.
He started all 155 regular season games he played with the Broncos and had 24 interceptions.
Only John Elway had more postseason starts.
Atwater started 14 playoff games for Denver, including three Super Bowls and four AFC title games.
Those draft day decisions are very difficult to make in the first round.
Teams discuss a bevy of college greats. Sometimes the decisions work out better than others.
There is no question Dan Reeves, Wade Phillips and Charlie Waters made a great one for Denver when they selected Steve Atwater with the Broncos' first-round pick back in 1989.
