Hall of Fame
Position: Halfback
Years: 1958-1960
Place of Birth: Ruston, LA
Date of Birth: Nov 24, 1935
Place of Death: Los Angeles, CA
Date of Death: Dec 22, 2017
Jersey Number: 27
Height: 6-1
Weight: 230
High School: Technical HS (Oakland, CA)
The only First Team All-America selection (1960) in New Mexico State football history, Pervis "Afterburner" Atkins led the Aggies to a perfect 11-0 season and a Border Conference title in 1960. Atkins twice topped the nation in all-purpose yards (1959-60) and holds the New Mexico State single season record with 1,800 all- purpose yards in 1960. During the 1959 season, he led the nation in rushing (971) and punt return yards (241). A two-time all conference selection, he caught touchdown passes in each of two Sun Bowl victories (1959-60). Atkins graduated with a B.A. in Sociology in 1962. Atkins was drafted in the third round of the 1960 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams. He played seven seasons in the NFL, including stints with the Washington Redskins and Oakland Raiders. He finished his career with 3,300 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns.
Atkins was also an actor and producer, known for the 1974 feature film The Longest Yard, the made-for-TV movie The Desperate Miles, and the 1976 pilot for the TV series Delvecchio. He resided in Los Angeles until his death on December 22, 2017. He was 82.
