PFT:Report: Jack Tatum dies at 61 - Dallas Cowboys Forum

cowboyjoe · 07-27-2010

Report: Jack Tatum dies at 61
Posted by Mike Florio on July 27, 2010 1:46 PM ET
Notorious Raiders defensive back Jack Tatum, whose hit on Darryl Stingley during a preseason game in 1978 left Stingley a paraplegic, has died at the age of 61.

According to 10TV.com, Tatum suffered a heart attack.

Tatum suffered from diabetes for years. He lost all five toes on his left foot, and his right leg ultimately was amputated.

The hard-nosed safety's autobiography was titled They Call Me Assassin. For the youngsters in the crowd, YouTube will get you up to speed regarding Tatum's substance and style. (And please wait to see Tatum's hit on Earl Campbell.)

A member of the College Football Hall of Fame, Ohio State awards during the season a "Jack Tatum Hit of the Week" award.

Loved by Raiders fans and despised by those who followed every other team, Tatum was a key part of the fabric of the game in the 1970s. There hasn't been another Jack Tatum, and there likely never will.

Yeagermeister · 07-27-2010

RIP Mr. Tatum

zrinkill · 07-27-2010

A mean mean guy ...... never apologized for what happened to that one guy.

RIP assassin.

Double Trouble · 07-27-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by zrinkill

A mean mean guy ...... never apologized for what happened to that one guy.

RIP assassin.

Daryl Stingley, I assume you're referring to.

**ABQCOWBOY** · 07-27-2010

That man was fierce. I saw the game he put the hit on Stingley. I remember him going head to head with Earl Campbell on the Goal Line as well.

RIP Jack Tatum

Doomsday101 · 07-27-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by cowboyjoe

Report: Jack Tatum dies at 61
Posted by Mike Florio on July 27, 2010 1:46 PM ET
Notorious Raiders defensive back Jack Tatum, whose hit on Darryl Stingley during a preseason game in 1978 left Stingley a paraplegic, has died at the age of 61.

According to 10TV.com, Tatum suffered a heart attack.

Tatum suffered from diabetes for years. He lost all five toes on his left foot, and his right leg ultimately was amputated.

The hard-nosed safety's autobiography was titled They Call Me Assassin. For the youngsters in the crowd, YouTube will get you up to speed regarding Tatum's substance and style. (And please wait to see Tatum's hit on Earl Campbell.)

A member of the College Football Hall of Fame, Ohio State awards during the season a "Jack Tatum Hit of the Week" award.

[View Full Quote]

He was one of the greats I was lucky enough to watch him play this game.

Phoenix · 07-27-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by ABQCOWBOY

That man was fierce. I saw the game he put the hit Stingley. I remember him going head to head with Earl Campbell on the Goal Line as well.

RIP Jack Tatum

I did too, on TV at least. Vicious hit. Shocking outcome for Stingley (who also died not all that long ago...couple years back if I remember right).

RIP Jack Tatum.

bigE79 · 07-27-2010

One of my favorite players of all time...RIP Jack

Phoenix · 07-28-2010

Joshmvii · 07-28-2010

I'm too young to have any nostalgia for players from that era, but watching that video all I'm seeing is the kind of stuff that got players like Rodney Harrison labeled as the dirtiest player in the league. I know the game was played differently back then, but it still doesn't make it right. Too many guys are dying early because of the brain trauma they took playing football.

It's a shame he died, but at the end of the day I'm glad the NFL doesn't let guys play that way anymore. It's just a game, and not one worth cutting your life in half for.

Phrozen Phil · 07-28-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joshmvii

I'm too young to have any nostalgia for players from that era, but watching that video all I'm seeing is the kind of stuff that got players like Rodney Harrison labeled as the dirtiest player in the league. I know the game was played differently back then, but it still doesn't make it right. Too many guys are dying early because of the brain trauma they took playing football.

It's a shame he died, but at the end of the day I'm glad the NFL doesn't let guys play that way anymore. It's just a game, and not one worth cutting your life in half for.

You put it perfectly. Tatum liked hitting people in the head and the video shows that. While I'm sorry to see him die like that, I'm not sorry to see that type of play be part of the past. When you lead with your helmet and go for the head, bad stuff will happen.

peck-sicilyisland · 08-01-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phrozen Phil

You put it perfectly. Tatum liked hitting people in the head and the video shows that. While I'm sorry to see him die like that, I'm not sorry to see that type of play be part of the past. When you lead with your helmet and go for the head, bad stuff will happen.

Tatum gave the fans what they wanted,and that was hard hits on anybody,I am not going to say anything bad about the guy,he was a great football player.He stike fear in wr's, and thats what the coaches wanted.

jimmy40 · 08-01-2010

I hated that guy till he clotheslined Lynn Swann, then it was all good.