Jack Tatum dead

[caesarscott]

at 61

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=5413917

[Yogi]

That's terrible!!!!

I loved Tatum when I was a kid. That guy could put a lick on you. He was the posterchild for the silver and black.

Kids, do not try this at home:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEgQARSzaI0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuP0Cldbn10

[Yogi]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gARi1...eature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1vKX...eature=related

(By the way, what is more amazing is that the ball was actually caught.)

[tommie]

Young

[KrispyKremeMan]

RIP Darryl.

[Assassin]

Scumbag in my book. Nothing but a gang banger in pads. He made Daryl Stingley a quadraplegic. Never apologized, never even talked to him. That's just downright low life.

In 1996, Tatum and Stingley were going to meet for a TV appearance, but Stingley called it off after finding out the only reason Tatum wanted to do it was to promote his book.

BTW - Tatum's coach John Madden went to the hospital daily after that hit to check on Stingley. Became very, very close to him. Makes me like Madden that much more.

[Moze]

I didn't much like him, but I'm sad to see him go at 61.

[Yogi]

Scumbag in my book. Nothing but a gang banger in pads. He made Daryl Stingley a quadraplegic. Never apologized, never even talked to him. That's just downright low life.

Aren't we all low lifes in a way? I think we get the high life when we get to Heaven. (beer jokes aside)

Yeah, that's the only thing that ever bothered me a little. I totally understand not apologizing. Why apologize for a legal hit as if you did something wrong? I am sure Tatum didn't intend on paralyzing the kid, but he did intend to place that hit on him. (Granted, even I have apologized for mere accidents.)

However, Tatum should've visited the guy in the hospital, set up a trust for him and his family, etc.

Stingley arguably could have developed into one of the best receivers in football. That's what made the hit so much more tragic than it really was.

Well, Tatum has now paid his price.

Hoperfully, he has made his peace.

[Assassin]

Part of the alienation came after Tatum wrote the 1980 book, "They Call Me Assassin," in which he was unapologetic for his headhunting ways.

Tatum was not penalized for his hit on Stingley and the NFL took no disciplinary action, but it did tighten its rules on violent hits.

Tatum also wrote books titled "They Still Call Me Assassin: Here We Go Again" in 1989 and "Final Confessions of an NFL Assassin" in 1996.

In the latter he wrote, "I was paid to hit, the harder the better. And I hit, and I knocked people down and knocked people out. ... I understand why Darryl is considered the victim. But I'll never understand why some people look at me as the villain."

Tatum, you numnut. It's because of the scumbag you were after after the hit, not the hit itself!

[Bear89]

The collision between Tatum and Earl Campbell in a game between the Oilers and Raiders is one I will never forget. Earl fell into the end zone for the score but the impact was absolutely unbelievable. Tatum never shot his mouth off about that one because he got the worst of it.

[Yogi]

For the record, Tatum has said that Stingley and him had tried to get together on numerous occasions but that Stingley's family interfered with his access to Darryl.

[Texas Sic 'Em]

at 61

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=5413917

Geesh! How many more are we going to lose from this year's recruiting class

[canada78]

I didn't much like him, but I'm sad to see him go at 61.

NFL players seem to die earlier than most.

I believe there are studies that have outlined this.

[Texas Sic 'Em]

Scumbag in my book. Nothing but a gang banger in pads. He made Daryl Stingley a quadraplegic. Never apologized, never even talked to him. That's just downright low life.

In 1996, Tatum and Stingley were going to meet for a TV appearance, but Stingley called it off after finding out the only reason Tatum wanted to do it was to promote his book.

BTW - Tatum's coach John Madden went to the hospital daily after that hit to check on Stingley. Became very, very close to him. Makes me like Madden that much more.

Actually on ESPN radio this morning on Mike & Mike they reported that he did go to the hospital that night but that Stingley's family would not permit him to come in. Does not mean he was not a scumbag, but he did at least try to talk to the guy. Madden just heard the hospital had a good cafeteria.