Ricky Atkinson

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.

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

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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