Introduction

Josh Atkinson, the younger twin brother of George Atkinson III and son of NFL legend George Atkinson II, was a young athlete with promise whose life ended in tragic loss. In the wake of his father’s passing, Josh’s story becomes part of a larger legacy of family, fame, and heartbreak in the world of football and beyond.

Early Life and Background

Josh Atkinson was born in the early 1990s in California, alongside his twin brother George III. He grew up in a household anchored by his father’s professional football career, yet shadowed by personal and family challenges. While his father played for the Oakland Raiders, Josh and his brother were raised navigating both athletic expectations and family disruption.

Family, Parents, and Siblings

Josh’s father, George Atkinson II, was a celebrated safety for the Raiders. His mother, Michelle Martin, faced serious mental-health issues during the children’s upbringing, which added strain to the family environment. Josh had an identical twin, George Atkinson III, with whom he shared his athletic ambitions. Tragically, both brothers died young — Josh passed on December 25, 2018 at age 25, followed by his brother in 2019.

Education

While specific details of Josh Atkinson’s schooling are limited, he played football at the collegiate level for the University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish (defensive back, 2011-2013) and was also a track athlete. His high-school career at Granada High School in Livermore, California included strong defensive statistics and athletic versatility.

Career or Profession

Josh Atkinson’s athletic promise was real: he appeared in 25 games for Notre Dame, and was an athlete of dual talent in football and track. However, he did not launch a significant professional career, and his promising trajectory was halted by his premature passing. His story emphasizes potential interrupted and legacy unfulfilled.

Relationship or Personal Life

Josh was the twin brother of George Atkinson III; he and his brother shared close bonds, athletic goals and deep family history. There is little public information about Josh’s romantic relationships or marriage. His life became publicly entwined with the twin tragedy of his death and his brother’s subsequent passing — a story of familial love, loss and the weight of legacy.

Net Worth

Publicly available information does not provide a reliable estimate of Josh Atkinson’s net worth. As a young athlete whose professional career was not fully realized, his financial standing was likely modest compared to his father’s legacy.

Interesting Facts

• Josh Atkinson and his twin brother were posthumously diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), linked to repeated head trauma in football.

• Josh played both defensive back and track at Notre Dame, showcasing rare athletic versatility.

• His premature death on December 25, 2018 shocked the sports community and highlighted mental-health and legacy issues in athlete families.

 

Social Media Presence

Josh Atkinson’s public social-media presence was minimal. After his death, memorial posts from his brother and father shared his story and encouraged greater awareness of athlete mental-health and CTE.

Recent News or Updates

Although Josh Atkinson passed in 2018, his story continues to receive attention in the context of his father’s death (George Atkinson II died October 27, 2025) and renewed media focus on the twin brothers’ deaths, CTE risk among athletes and the legacy of the Atkinson family.

Why Josh Atkinson Matters

Josh Atkinson matters because his life reflects both the hope and the heartbreak of the athletic legacy. Son of a football icon, twin to a promising prospect, he had opportunity and pressure. His early death forces us to remember the human cost behind fame, family expectations and the dangers athletes may face beyond the field.

FAQ

Q1: Who was Josh Atkinson?
A: Josh Atkinson was the twin brother of George Atkinson III and son of NFL legend George Atkinson II. He played collegiate football at Notre Dame and died on December 25, 2018.

Q2: What did Josh Atkinson do?
A: He was a collegiate football player and track athlete at Notre Dame, showing promise as a defensive back—but his professional career was never fully realized.

Q3: What happened to Josh Atkinson?
A: He died at the age of 25, on December 25, 2018, with the cause publicly reported as suicide. His death came during a family history of mental-health and trauma issues.

Q4: Why is Josh Atkinson’s story significant after George Atkinson’s passing?
A: With the death of his father in 2025, Josh’s story becomes part of a broader narrative about the Atkinson family, sports legacy, grief and the impact of football on athletes and their families.

Q5: Was Josh Atkinson diagnosed with any condition?
A: Yes. Both Josh and his twin brother were posthumously diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a brain disease linked to repeated head impacts in football.