Geno Atkins is a former American football defensive tackle who played in the National Football League (NFL) for over a decade. He was born on March 28, 1988, in Pembroke Pines, Florida, and attended the University of Georgia, where he played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs.
Atkins was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He quickly established himself as one of the league's top defensive tackles, earning Pro Bowl honors in his second season. Over the course of his career, Atkins was named to the Pro Bowl eight times and was a two-time First-Team All-Pro selection.
Atkins was known for his quickness off the line of scrimmage and his ability to disrupt opposing offenses. He was a dominant force in the middle of the Bengals' defensive line, consistently recording high numbers of tackles, sacks, and tackles for loss. He was also a team leader and a respected veteran in the locker room.
Despite his success on the field, Atkins battled injuries throughout his career. He missed significant time in 2013 and 2019 due to torn ACLs, and his production declined in his final few seasons. In 2020, the Bengals released Atkins, and he signed with the Tennessee Titans, but he played in only eight games before being released again.
Atkins retired from the NFL in March 2021, ending a career that saw him record 383 tackles, 75.5 sacks, and 122 tackles for loss. He was widely regarded as one of the best defensive tackles of his era and was a key part of the Bengals' success during his time in Cincinnati.
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