Professional Football Player, Actor. Born Pervis R. Atkins Jr., he played the flanker, halfback, and wide receiver positions for the Los Angeles Rams and Washington Redskins of the National Football League and the Oakland Raiders of the American Football League. He later went into acting in both films and television. He played football collegiately at New Mexico State University where he led the nation in rushing yardage with 130 carries for 971 yards in 1959. He was also a first team All-American while at New Mexico State in 1960. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the third round of the 1960 NFL Draft and played for the Rams for three seasons before being traded to the Washington Redskins in 1964. He would go on to play for the Redskins for a year and a half before joining the AFL's Oakland Raiders for a season and a half. He retired from football after the 1966 season. His career statistics included 74 rushes for 201 yards and 64 catches for 675 yards in 78 games played. He later went into acting with appearances in such works as the 1974 film "The Longest Yard" and television series' "Ellery Queen", "Delvecchio", "The Six Million Dollar Man", and "Police Woman". He also produced the 1972 film "Melinda". He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2009 and that same year, had his number 27 retired. He passed away after a lengthy battle with dementia.
Professional Football Player, Actor. Born Pervis R. Atkins Jr., he played the flanker, halfback, and wide receiver positions for the Los Angeles Rams and Washington Redskins of the National Football League and the Oakland Raiders of the American Football League. He later went into acting in both films and television. He played football collegiately at New Mexico State University where he led the nation in rushing yardage with 130 carries for 971 yards in 1959. He was also a first team All-American while at New Mexico State in 1960. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the third round of the 1960 NFL Draft and played for the Rams for three seasons before being traded to the Washington Redskins in 1964. He would go on to play for the Redskins for a year and a half before joining the AFL's Oakland Raiders for a season and a half. He retired from football after the 1966 season. His career statistics included 74 rushes for 201 yards and 64 catches for 675 yards in 78 games played. He later went into acting with appearances in such works as the 1974 film "The Longest Yard" and television series' "Ellery Queen", "Delvecchio", "The Six Million Dollar Man", and "Police Woman". He also produced the 1972 film "Melinda". He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2009 and that same year, had his number 27 retired. He passed away after a lengthy battle with dementia.
Bio by: Mr. Badger Hawkeye
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