Steve Atwater, a former NFL safety and Arkansas Razorback, returned to Arkansas on Monday to a standing ovation at the Little Rock Touchdown Club at the Embassy Suites in Little Rock.
Several members of the crowd remembered Atwater, 52, as one of the top defensive players in University of Arkansas history, as he recorded 14 interceptions in his college career (1985-1988).
As a former Razorback, Atwater was asked what he thinks needs to change with the Arkansas program under first-year Coach Chad Morris. He said they need players who believe in Morris' system.
"You have to have some great players," Atwater said. "Then, you have to have some guys who may not necessarily be great players, but they're scrappy, they're going to fight and give everything they have."
The Denver Broncos drafted Atwater 20th overall in the 1989 NFL Draft. Atwater spent 10 seasons with the Broncos (1989-1998) and his last season with the New York Jets (1999).
During his 11-year NFL career, Atwater -- who recorded 24 interceptions and 5 sacks -- won two Super Bowls (1997, 1998) with the Broncos, was an eight-time Pro Bowl selection (1990-1996, 1998) and a three-time All-Pro player (first team in 1991 and 1992; second team in 1996).
A play during the 1990 season is still remembered as Atwater's career best.
On Sept. 17, 1990, the Broncos hosted the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday Night Football. Chiefs running back Christian Okoye, nicknamed the Nigerian Nightmare, ran the ball on a dive play. But Atwater, who was mic'd up for NFL Films during the game, hit Okoye in his right shoulder, knocking him backward for a loss.
The run was shown via YouTube during Monday's meeting.
"When the play happened, I saw the hole opened up," Atwater recalled. "I went up there with everything I had. I dropped the shoulder. It worked out nicely."
Nicknamed the "Smilin' Assassin", Atwater said it was easy for him to go from his normal, easygoing personality off the field to his physical style on the field.
"When I was on the field, I was this violent guy," Atwater said. "Then, off the field, I couldn't do it off the field. You can't just go run into somebody off the field full speed. I can't do this everywhere. I'd probably end up in jail or something."
With the rule changes regarding defensive players in recent years, Atwater said Monday he might have been a different player in today's NFL.
"When it comes to finances, I'd have adapted," Atwater said. "One fine was all it was going to take."
Atwater is one of 102 modern-era candidates for the 2019 class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He wasn't campaigning for himself Monday, but he did stump for longtime Broncos owner Pat Bowlen to get into Canton.
"If I don't get in, it won't be the end of the world," Atwater said. "But it would be something I'd be extremely proud of.
"So many of my friends are in there. They're like, 'How are you not in there?' I said, 'I don't know.' "
Sports on 10/30/2018