Doug Atkins played end on the UT football team in 1950–52. He was an All-America selection in 1952 and All-SEC in 1951 and 1952. He was the Cleveland Browns’ number one draft pick in 1953, and he played for Cleveland through 1954. He then played for the Chicago Bears (1955 to 1966) and for the New Orleans Saints (1967 to 1969). He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1982, and with his election to the College Football of Fame in 1985, he became the first Vol to be elected both to the College Hall of Fame and the Pro Hall of Fame. He was FWAA SEC Player of the Quarter Century (1950 to 1974) and was selected to the All-Time SEC (1933 to 1982). His number was retired in 2005.