Steve Atwater voted into the Hall of Fame

The knock he’s waited so long to hear finally came.

Steve Atwater is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Read that again and let it sink in. It really is real. This isn’t “fake news.” The Smilin’ Assassin is finally headed to Canton, Ohio. The Denver Broncos legend joins the Modern-Era Class of 2020 that was selected on Saturday in Miami.

Atwater becomes just the second Broncos defensive player to earn a bust in the Hall of Fame, joining Champ Bailey who was inducted last year. This was Atwater’s third time as a finalist.

Atwater’s resume speaks for itself, and we’ve laid out the 27 reasons why this needed to happen sooner. In terms of Broncos history, few players have left a mark as great and large as the iconic safety. And now, one of the best and most influential players in NFL history is getting his rightful place in the hallowed grounds. The 48-member selection committee got it right.

Welcome to the Hall of Fame, Steve! Broncos Country can’t wait to see the Smilin’ Assassin don that Gold Jacket.