Former NFL Player George Atkinson III Dies One Year After Twin Brother's Suicide

Former NFL player and college athlete standout George Atkinson III died at 27 within a year after his twin brother Josh's suicide.

NTD Newsroom

Published: 12/4/2019, 9:13:17 PM EST

Former NFL Player George Atkinson III Dies One Year After Twin Brother's Suicide — George Atkinson #25 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates after defeating the San Diego Chargers 20-17 at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio, on Dec. 24, 2016. (Jason Miller/Getty Images)

Former NFL player and college athlete standout George Atkinson III died at 27 within a year after his twin brother Josh's suicide, WCSI reported.

The reason for Atkinson's untimely passing has not been revealed. Still, it is said that he suffered from depression, according to The Athletic reporter Pete Sampson, especially since his twin brother Josh, who also suffered from depression, killed himself last year.

Both brothers were standout athletes at college and played football for the Notre Dame college—George as running back and Josh as a defender. They were also both gifted track runners.

George Atkinson #34 of the Oakland Raiders looks on during the preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Aug. 22, 2014. (Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) — George Atkinson #34 of the Oakland Raiders looks on during the preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Aug. 22, 2014. Hannah Foslien/Getty Images

George would later pursue a sports career in the NFL, where he played for the Oakland Raiders and the Cleveland Browns, the Kansas City Chiefs, and the New York Jets.

George III and Josh were sons of former NFL Pro Bowl defensive back George Atkinson II, who played for the Oakland Raiders and Denver Broncos from 1968 to 1979, and was twice awarded as American Football League Allstar, according to Bleacher Report.

George II also suffered from depression but this was likely caused by chronic traumatic encephalopathy—a brain condition that could be the result of repeated blows to the head, according to Mercury News.

The two youths faced challenges growing up with their mom fighting cocaine addiction. This caused them to move on regularly because she could not afford the rent.

George III was quite open about his mental issues.

“Without my daughter, I don’t know where I would be right now. She gave me that second wind of motivation,” he wrote in a letter, WCSI reported.

“I went to seek help and spoke to a psychologist. I realized I had to let go of this ego that made me think sharing my feelings was showing weakness. Also, I had to learn to love myself.

“Like you, I am still struggling. My mother’s birthday just passed, and I know the holidays this year won’t be easy. But I am trying to take life one day at a time,” he said.

At the age of 13, the brothers were handed over into the custody of their father George Atkinson II, who contributed actively to the boys' athletic sports careers.

Brother's Death

George III Atkinson confirmed that his brother, Josh Atkinson and the son of former Oakland Raiders star George Atkinson, died suddenly at the age of 26 on Dec. 31 last year.

"I can’t put into words the pain that comes with losing my twin brother (Joshua Alexander Atkinson) thank you for the love and support," wrote George III on Instagram at the time.

"Please keep Josh in your prayers ???????? and respect the space i need to mourn this tragic loss God Bless you all."

He's the third Notre Dame player of a similar age to pass away recently, reported The Spun. Defensive tackle Kona Schwenke died in April at 25 and running back Greg Bryant was killed in a shooting in 2016 at age 21.

Epoch Times reporter Sarah Le contributed to this report.