Steve Atwater is a retired professional football player who played in the National Football League (NFL) as a safety. He was born on October 28, 1966, in Chicago, Illinois.

Atwater played college football at the University of Arkansas, where he was a standout safety. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the first round of the 1989 NFL Draft, 20th overall.

Atwater played for the Broncos for 10 seasons from 1989 to 1998, earning eight Pro Bowl selections and two First-Team All-Pro honors. He was a key member of the Broncos' defense, helping the team win two Super Bowls (Super Bowl XXXII and XXXIII) during his tenure. Atwater was known for his hard-hitting style of play, which earned him the nickname "The Smiling Assassin."

After leaving the Broncos, Atwater played for one season with the New York Jets in 1999 before retiring. He finished his career with 1,180 tackles, 24 interceptions, 5 sacks, and 6 forced fumbles.

Atwater was inducted into the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame in 2005 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020. He is widely regarded as one of the best safeties in NFL history and was known for his outstanding tackling ability and hard-hitting style, which made him feared by opposing teams.