Went to University of Arkansas with Steve Atwater, and sat next to him in “Intro to Mechanical Engineering” circa 1986. Incredible athlete and very gifted student as well. Congrats on your HOF induction, Steve!
Steve Atwater's hit to Christian Okoye is like Buster Douglas Knocking out Mike Tyson. It was sudden, intense, unexpected; and it didnt end their career, but it shattered their aura of invincibility.
you're underselling the FUCK out of Atwater. No less than Jerry Rice was afraif of that dude. Atwater was more Sugar Ray Leonard than Buster Douglas, and Okoye, frankly, was more Floyd "Dodge Good Opponents" Mayweather than Mike Tyson. That analogy was ASININE.
@@threadbarephoenix9904 Im not comparing Steve Atwater to Buster Douglas from a career perspective or comparable performances whatsoever. Im comparing Steve Atwater's *HIT* on Christian and how *Unexpected it was that Okoye was stopped* to how *Unexpected it was* that Buster Douglas knocked out Mike Tyson. Clearly anyone can tell Christian is not comparable to Mike Tyson whatsoever in any facet. Also, It seems your understanding of boxing is fairly limited; Floyd is unlikeable, annoying and boring to watch from a casual perspective. As someone who trains in boxing, his defense is downright unbelievable. He has also beaten a total of 23 Fighters who either were champions, or became champions later in their career. Nearly half his record is people up to champion caliber. So him ducking people i dont fully understand like you claim. You can dislike his fighting style but you're trying to claim Mayweather only fought nobodies, which means you're calling Manny Pacquiao, Oscar De la hoya, Ricky Hatton, Canelo Alvarez, Migel Cotto, Marcos Maidana, Andre Berto Victor Ortiz, Juan Manuel Marquez, Shane Moseley and Robert Guerrero "Nobodies" along with a few others that i cant think of off the top of my head at this moment. Those people arent Nobodies and if you look at those boxers records, all of them have substantially fewer losses to wins, most having single digit losses, which is good for any professional fighter. It seems you've missed the ball with both parts of your comment mate. You can dislike whoever you want i dont care but as someone with a love of boxing, you're entirely wrong lol.
@@threadbarephoenix9904 Steve Atwater layed the hammer down on more players than Carter had little liver pills you dead on Steve Atwater was known as that dude that would lay you the fuk out he was one my daddy's favorite players
I GET WHAT YOUR SAYING.....but I think a better boxing analogy would be Hagler v Hearns (because people are gonna be upset you compared Atwater to Douglas and NO MATTER how many times you explain they'll never listen) but anyway, Hearns wasn't invinciple, Sugar ray had proved he could be outboxed and stopped late.....but NOBODY was just gonna whoop his ass in a slugfest. UNTIL he met Marvin Hagler. Same with Okoye...he had been tackled before....BUT nobody was ever going to go head up with him and knock him on his ass.....UNTIL Steve Atwater. Again, I got the first analogy just fine
You can tell from 00:57 that Atwater didn't even get a great running start. Had to change direction a bit, just a few steps, then BOOM. On a bigger, power back. Incredible, perfect hit.
My favorite thing about this hit is you can enjoy it without worrying about how dangerous it was or anything. He took a forearm and just slammed it into the guy's upper body. Such a clean and beautiful hit.
I saw that hit on TV and I said to some of my family members that's going to end in Nigeria's nightmare career he was never the same after that all do goes out ATWATER!!👊🏾
I was at that game in the north stands. Upper deck. You could hear that pop clear as day all the way up there!! Mile High Stadium lifted off its foundation when when Atwater put him down!! A moment I will never forget!!!🤯💪
I was in this game and standing on the sideline when this hit took place. I remember hearing the pop and saying, dang, we've never seen Christian get hit like that.
Oh wow, Mr. JJ Birden in the comments! I remember a lot of great highlights from YOU back in those days, too! One that stands out in my mind was one that I think was like a 90+ yard catch back in 1990 or 1991. Against San Diego, maybe? You sure were fun to watch!
I played high school football in Arkansas in the 90s. From the first day of practice, all I wanted to do was play safety, and wear 27 - and this man is why.
@@4xxx451 Wow. I didn't know that. I can imagine that really affected his game. Either way, it's impressive Atwater could stop him like that, but there is prolly a reason it didn't happen twice.
Okoye was a beast until that hit. Didn’t hear much out of the commentators after that hit, but the legend of Atwater only grew, right into the HOF! Atwater was a bad boy, and every offense had to account for him first!
Look at the runners feet. They are parallel making it a lot easier to tackle and stop him to the ground. Not saying it’s not a good play but him being so small it def helped. What a perfect tackle
So 6’3” at 220-230lbs is small? He was giving up 40-50lbs but was taller than Okoye by 2in or more. Mr Atwater bludgeoned that big bastard, and stunned everyone watching at the same time.
Chiefs lifer here, absolutely loathe and detest the Broncos. The last 8 yrs. have been glorious! Nothing but respect and admiration, though, for Atwater and Terrell Davis. And I'm a Jayhawk so much love to Aqib Talib and Chris Harris, wish they played for the good guys in KC. Got my broom ready for week 8 🧹 "Let Russ (throw to FS) Cook" Nice clip, thanks for posting. I remember that watching that hit as a kid, the feeling of utter disbelief when Okoye's knees buckled 💥 It was like watching Superman jump a building like you've seen happen 100x and get pasted on the 2nd floor wall... My young brain couldn't process what my eyes had just seen. I can't help but appreciate Atwater's swagger "IDGAF if he lines up at WR." 😂
Lol...as a Bronco fan back then, it was about time, thats what Atwater was brought in to do, stop the nightmare...hell he outweighed alot of our defensive line at that time.
I was watching that game on tv just up the road in Lakewood and I heard it from the direction of Mile High. I had to watch the replay to make sure I really saw what my brain told me I saw.
About time Steve Atwater got into the HOF. Should have been in YEARS AGO. Four others still missing from the NFL HOF - L.C Greenwood (Pittsburgh Steelers - only member of the fearsome Steel Curtain not in the Hall where he belongs), Joe Klecko (NYJ - NFL All-Pro @3 different positions & member of the feared New York Sack Exchange), Mark Gastineau (NYJ - NFL career Sacks leader at the time of his retirement, 22 Sacks in a single season & member of the feared New York Sack Exchange), & Joe Jacoby (Washington Football Team - 4x Pro Bowl selection, 3x All-Pro & prolific member of the legendary Hogs offensive line that lead Washington to 3x Super Bowl wins).
Atwater, 6’ 3” 225lbs. Speed of a corner with linebacker size, except dude called him a little safety. Just wow!!!
All safeties are little on a football field.
I was thinking the same, Atwater was a huge Safety only David Fulcher of The Bengals was Heavier than him! Fulcher was like 240 lbs at 6'3"
Most DBs are like 6’1’’ or under, especially back then. Atwater was always known as a bigger safety
Little compared to Okoye
@@darkmagician1710 apparently not that little. He sparked him lol
As Chief fan watching that game and hit, was like seeing your dad get beat up.
As a broncos fan...it was finally, one guy that can bring him down by himself.
REGGIE W Underrated comment 🤣
As a Broncos fan..your comment cracked me up.
Before Christian Okoye goes to sleep at night he checks under his bed for Steve Atwater.
Best comment ever....
I’m glad he finally is in the HOF, dude was a beast
And a major impact for the Win on SuperBowl 32
He isn’t
@@charleynewman5758 2020 and piss off. He's one of the greatest safetys ever. Him and Tatum and Lott. Buckle up.
One of the best I’ve ever seen. Not Ed Reed or Polamalu, but close.
Went to University of Arkansas with Steve Atwater, and sat next to him in “Intro to Mechanical Engineering” circa 1986. Incredible athlete and very gifted student as well. Congrats on your HOF induction, Steve!
His son went to a IVY LEAGUE SCHOOL
Atwater should have been a first ballot HOF! Oh well, better late than never
@Christopher Buehring dude who cares about your opinion
@Christopher Buehring I do.
I agree
This hit never gets old.
Lol im in 2019 and still will never be old
It still... Wow!
2021 and it still never gets old
NEVER!!!
2022 and i still love it
Yo, that Christian Okoye at fullback.
Atwater: I don't give a ****, put him at wide receiver.
He hit Jerry Rice even harder in the Super Bowl that year but Jerry bounced of him and scored a touchdown!
@@davidodoms2812 Jerry Rice used to catch the ball and transition so fast to a runner. He was never defenseless.
Steve Atwater's hit to Christian Okoye is like Buster Douglas Knocking out Mike Tyson. It was sudden, intense, unexpected; and it didnt end their career, but it shattered their aura of invincibility.
you're underselling the FUCK out of Atwater. No less than Jerry Rice was afraif of that dude. Atwater was more Sugar Ray Leonard than Buster Douglas, and Okoye, frankly, was more Floyd "Dodge Good Opponents" Mayweather than Mike Tyson. That analogy was ASININE.
@@threadbarephoenix9904 Im not comparing Steve Atwater to Buster Douglas from a career perspective or comparable performances whatsoever. Im comparing Steve Atwater's *HIT* on Christian and how *Unexpected it was that Okoye was stopped* to how *Unexpected it was* that Buster Douglas knocked out Mike Tyson. Clearly anyone can tell Christian is not comparable to Mike Tyson whatsoever in any facet.
Also, It seems your understanding of boxing is fairly limited; Floyd is unlikeable, annoying and boring to watch from a casual perspective. As someone who trains in boxing, his defense is downright unbelievable. He has also beaten a total of 23 Fighters who either were champions, or became champions later in their career. Nearly half his record is people up to champion caliber. So him ducking people i dont fully understand like you claim. You can dislike his fighting style but you're trying to claim Mayweather only fought nobodies, which means you're calling Manny Pacquiao, Oscar De la hoya, Ricky Hatton, Canelo Alvarez, Migel Cotto, Marcos Maidana, Andre Berto Victor Ortiz, Juan Manuel Marquez, Shane Moseley and Robert Guerrero "Nobodies" along with a few others that i cant think of off the top of my head at this moment. Those people arent Nobodies and if you look at those boxers records, all of them have substantially fewer losses to wins, most having single digit losses, which is good for any professional fighter.
It seems you've missed the ball with both parts of your comment mate. You can dislike whoever you want i dont care but as someone with a love of boxing, you're entirely wrong lol.
Similar to how Ronnie Lott hit Ickey Woods both never ran the same again💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾
@@threadbarephoenix9904 Steve Atwater layed the hammer down on more players than Carter had little liver pills you dead on Steve Atwater was known as that dude that would lay you the fuk out he was one my daddy's favorite players
I GET WHAT YOUR SAYING.....but I think a better boxing analogy would be Hagler v Hearns (because people are gonna be upset you compared Atwater to Douglas and NO MATTER how many times you explain they'll never listen) but anyway, Hearns wasn't invinciple, Sugar ray had proved he could be outboxed and stopped late.....but NOBODY was just gonna whoop his ass in a slugfest. UNTIL he met Marvin Hagler.
Same with Okoye...he had been tackled before....BUT nobody was ever going to go head up with him and knock him on his ass.....UNTIL Steve Atwater.
Again, I got the first analogy just fine
Clean hit...even in todays football. WOW!!
He is in the Hall!
He's in the Hall, y'all, boy he could ball, Okoye took a fall, and he shonuff wasn't small.
J Devassy Devassy THIS SHIT GO HARD
I don't believe Atwater is n the Hall. Yet. He should b, and most likely will b, before he dies of old age.
@@joymike6408 he is the hall, class of 2020
@@joymike6408 he is in the HOF. 2020, but how have and enshrinement canceled so he went in in 2021 officialy
Here cause he finally made it into the Hall of Fame! CONGRATS 🎉
Met Christian today and let me tell you what, knowing the man was the size he was after seeing him in person made this hit even more impressive.
Congrats Steve Atwater!
Class of 2020
Steve Atwater, "Little Safety"?!?! Guy is definitely a comedian.
That primal scream afterwards I bet left the offense shaken and demoralized after that massively impressive hit.
When monsters go to bed at night, first they look under their bed for Steve Atwater.
and Chuck Norris.
@@hmj8469Chuck Norris shook Steve Atwater’s hand and said thank you.
One of the most beautiful plays in nfl history
You can tell from 00:57 that Atwater didn't even get a great running start. Had to change direction a bit, just a few steps, then BOOM. On a bigger, power back. Incredible, perfect hit.
Steve Atwater will always be a legend
Nobody: They got Okoye at fullback 🤭😲
S.A: Hold my beer 💪🏾
The great single hit in NFL history
Idk what's more impressive the fact that Atwater did this or the fact that okoye was such a beast that we are actually impressed by this.
My favorite thing about this hit is you can enjoy it without worrying about how dangerous it was or anything. He took a forearm and just slammed it into the guy's upper body. Such a clean and beautiful hit.
I grew up in Denver in the 70's-90's. Steve has AWAYS been my favorite bronco.
War eagle
he’s always been my favorite Razorback 🐗
I saw that hit on TV and I said to some of my family members that's going to end in Nigeria's nightmare career he was never the same after that all do goes out ATWATER!!👊🏾
Yea Christian losing a child before that game definitely took a toll on him
That is very true, never the same after that hit.
Top 10 safeties of all time. Steve Atwater is amazing
Back when I was proud to be a Bronco fan.
A grown a$$ talking about being a proud fan of men. You 8? lol
@@sharkkillag2456 you must have a lot of time on your hands.
This will NEVER EVER get old.
I remember that game and I remember the sound through the TV of that hit.
I was at that game in the north stands. Upper deck. You could hear that pop clear as day all the way up there!! Mile High Stadium lifted off its foundation when when Atwater put him down!! A moment I will never forget!!!🤯💪
I was watching this game... i jumped out my chair and yelled like i saw god 🔥👍🏾
@@markymark6928 even better
God comes in many forms.
@@isaiah9357
Not really
That's awesome! Sports can really move ya sometimes.
I was at that game and it's the loudest hit I've ever heard, and I had season tix for 15 years.
I was in this game and standing on the sideline when this hit took place. I remember hearing the pop and saying, dang, we've never seen Christian get hit like that.
Here from tik tok
@@callmejay05 nice! 👋
Oh wow, Mr. JJ Birden in the comments! I remember a lot of great highlights from YOU back in those days, too! One that stands out in my mind was one that I think was like a 90+ yard catch back in 1990 or 1991. Against San Diego, maybe? You sure were fun to watch!
@@ryanrhodes4213 Appreciate that. Scoring a 90-yarder was definitely one of the highlights of my career.
JJ! You were my favorite wide out as a little kid! Loved watching you and Willie Davis tear it up! Hope all is well
I will never forget that game, what a legend! #27 well deserved hall of fame inductee!
Atwater & Sean Taylor big boys at free safety...bonecrushers💯
I played high school football in Arkansas in the 90s. From the first day of practice, all I wanted to do was play safety, and wear 27 - and this man is why.
Name checks out
Maybe the greatest hit the NFL history.
Number one hit of all time in my opinion
Stop
The hit heard 'round the world.
Should be in the Hall of Fame
Yes
He is now!
@@od9104 damn you beat me to it ! Lol
Yup BROTHA is going to CANTON.
Zachary Couch He is now in the Hall of Fame!
Such an underrated play. Should be top 20 of all time.
Agreed. Okoye wasn't the same after that hit.
Okoye was never quite same after that. Atwater knocked the confidence out of Okoye. I don't remember his name much, after that.
Yea that plus he lost his child a week before that, that’ll definitely hurt most people
@@4xxx451 Wow. I didn't know that. I can imagine that really affected his game. Either way, it's impressive Atwater could stop him like that, but there is prolly a reason it didn't happen twice.
My Favorite Bronco Steve ,
Coming from a 60 year Bronco fan
Atwater stuffing Okoye was like the NFL equivalent of Wile E. Coyote smashing into the Brickwall that he thought was a tunnel.🤣
I was lucky enough to be watching that game (on tv not in the stands). One of the top hits of all time.
This hit made my childhood. Atwater programmed his ass!
I remember watching this game as a kid and thinking anything is possible as I stood there in shock
Popped em. Damn. Great hit
The one play that made this my team since a kid 💯🤯🔥
I lived in Denver from 87-99, saw him play live at Mile Hi many times, he could have played LB just as well but he was fast enough for safety.
When an unstoppable force meets an immovable object
Heard about this on the Jim Rome show. Congratulations Steve on the hall of fame induction. GOAT!
Congratulations to Steve Atwater being elected today Feb 1, 2020 to the Pro Football Hall of Fame!
Okoye was a beast until that hit. Didn’t hear much out of the commentators after that hit, but the legend of Atwater only grew, right into the HOF! Atwater was a bad boy, and every offense had to account for him first!
RBs have to watch Earl Campbell clips to get their confidence back
Except when they played Baltimore
Number 51: You see they got uh Akoye at fullback.
Steve Atwater: I don’t give af if he play Wide Reciever
That’s the day he chose violence.💯💪🏾
CONGRATULATIONS STEVE ATWATER #27 Pro Football Hall Of Fame Member. 2/1/2020
Legend has it that he’s still recovering
And had nightmares about it 🙈
Okoye gets pissed every time someone asks him for Atwater 🤣🤣
What A leader, I love this guy.
People forgot Atwater was listed at 6"3 he wasn't no little dude either lol
Atwater ended the Nigerian Nightmares career with this hit, you could say he shattered his dreams!
Atwater was a beast back in the day!
Every time I see this hit it gets me pumped up.
Good ole days
Atwater and now Jokic are my favorite athletes of all time.
Atwater litt em up in his era folk no lie homie could stick you bro on real reala
Okoye was never the same after this
Look at the runners feet. They are parallel making it a lot easier to tackle and stop him to the ground. Not saying it’s not a good play but him being so small it def helped. What a perfect tackle
So 6’3” at 220-230lbs is small? He was giving up 40-50lbs but was taller than Okoye by 2in or more. Mr Atwater bludgeoned that big bastard, and stunned everyone watching at the same time.
Chiefs lifer here, absolutely loathe and detest the Broncos. The last 8 yrs. have been glorious! Nothing but respect and admiration, though, for Atwater and Terrell Davis. And I'm a Jayhawk so much love to Aqib Talib and Chris Harris, wish they played for the good guys in KC. Got my broom ready for week 8 🧹 "Let Russ (throw to FS) Cook"
Nice clip, thanks for posting. I remember that watching that hit as a kid, the feeling of utter disbelief when Okoye's knees buckled 💥 It was like watching Superman jump a building like you've seen happen 100x and get pasted on the 2nd floor wall... My young brain couldn't process what my eyes had just seen. I can't help but appreciate Atwater's swagger "IDGAF if he lines up at WR." 😂
Both were beasts
who is here after the news he is finally a HOFer??
Christian okoyay is a one hit wonder, Atwater is a legend!
:20 little safety?? LOL!!! Atwater was about 225LB!!! That was huge for a safety in 1990.
I got hit like that in high school. 30 years later I still feel it.
That is dope
Danny Sodes!! Helluva tackle tackle, crackle crackle.
This hit alone should've made him a first ballot hof
Steve Atwater paved the way for Kam Chancellor.
Lol...as a Bronco fan back then, it was about time, thats what Atwater was brought in to do, stop the nightmare...hell he outweighed alot of our defensive line at that time.
I remember Atwater tackling Jerry Rice in the first quarter of Super Bowl XVI. The result: Atwater took a seat after collision and Rice scored easily.
Who else heard the announcer on the USFL game talk about this hit?
Okoye's Welcome to the League moment.
Cracked Helmet
I was watching that game on tv just up the road in Lakewood and I heard it from the direction of Mile High. I had to watch the replay to make sure I really saw what my brain told me I saw.
That's how it's done nice tackle
I love this so much.
Clean hit too
Glad soders having his moment
I can just imagine wht Atwater told Okoye after hit😂
About time Steve Atwater got into the HOF. Should have been in YEARS AGO. Four others still missing from the NFL HOF - L.C Greenwood (Pittsburgh Steelers - only member of the fearsome Steel Curtain not in the Hall where he belongs), Joe Klecko (NYJ - NFL All-Pro @3 different positions & member of the feared New York Sack Exchange), Mark Gastineau (NYJ - NFL career Sacks leader at the time of his retirement, 22 Sacks in a single season & member of the feared New York Sack Exchange), & Joe Jacoby (Washington Football Team - 4x Pro Bowl selection, 3x All-Pro & prolific member of the legendary Hogs offensive line that lead Washington to 3x Super Bowl wins).
lmfao i knew that was Dan Soder's voice from the first second
HE DIDNT FUMBLE ANNDD GOT RIGHTTT BACK UP LOL
Dan Soder being in this was a surprise
Atwater was not "little." Especially for a safety. He was one of the bigger ones in the league and hit bigger.
Steve Atwater was a best.
Steve Atwater reminded Okoye that He also had a (R) gear.
Dammm....he sent him back to nigeria with nightmares! Yessah!
Damn Atwater tuff as nails man.
The Smilin' Assassin!!! Hahaha!!! CRUNCH!!
#56 should get credited with the leg whip
The rest of Atwater's audio was "You tried baby!" followed by an evil laugh.
Shoutout weighin in
Atwater was a straight up goon on the field