NFL: The Assassin, Jack Tatum bids farewell to life
The “Assassin” finally rests in peace. The hardest hitter in the history of National Football League (NFL) passed away on Tuesday afternoon, 27th July 2010. The former American football defensive back, Jack Tatum died at the age of 61 as a result of cardiac arrest, in a hospital in Oakland. Tatum had diabetes and suffered from various other health problems in the recent years.
The football fans grieve over the loss of a great legend who was the true pioneer and ambassador for the game. The hardest hitter of the ball and “The Assassin” are the popular attributes of Jack Tatum.
He was originally from Cherryville, North Carolina where he was born on November 18, 1948 but he was brought up in Passaic, New Jersey. Tatum started playing football since he joined Passaic High School. He entered NFL when Oakland Raiders drafted him in 1971.
Tatum spent ten extensive years with the Oakland Raiders from 1971 to 1980 and experienced a number of incredible moments during his career for which he would always be remembered.
He earned a very good reputation for his extraordinary game-skills. He was mighty and powerful and hit some of the most popular blows in NFL Championships. He was best known for his devastating hit which paralysed England Patriots’ Darryl Stingley in 1978. That great combat will be remembered throughout the NFL history when the New England Patriots and Oakland Raiders stroke together in the 59th season of NFL and Stingley was left with four paralysed limbs.
There was no personal intention involved and that was why, no penalty flags were thrown against the hit. However, Tatum expressed his guilt and wrote in one of his books: “When the reality of Stingley’s injury hit me with its full impact, I was shattered; to think that my tackle broke another man’s neck and killed his future”. Tatum also said that he tried to visit Stingley shortly after the mishap but Stingley’s family turned him away.
The brutal hits made Jack Tatum a symbol of aggressive game and he was also wrapped up in that fashion. The powerful hitting did not stop; in 1977 Super Bowl, the Oakland Raiders took on Minnesota Vikings in which Tatum hit Vikings’ wide receiver, Sammy White, with such power that it removed his helmet. It was often considered as the biggest hit in the Super Bowl history.
After spending ten fabulous years with Raiders, Tatum signed a deal with Houston Oilers in 1980. He stayed with the Oilers for the rest of his career but soon retired from NFL. Tatum gained enough experience during his time with NFL and he wanted to share it with the world. Therefore he decided to put it in black and white and wrote three books; They Call Me Assassin in 1980, They Still Call Me Assassin in 1989, and the last book in 1996 under the title, “The final confession of NFL assassin Jack Tatum”.
These books were publicized all over the world and caught the attention of many football lovers. The books revealed a lot of weird facts and interesting accounts related to Tatum’s life and game. He quoted in his first book, “I like to believe that my best hits border on felonious assault”. Likewise there is another fascinating line in his final book, “I was paid to hit, the harder the better”. He also wrote in the same book that “I understand why Darryl Stingley is considered the victim. But I’ll never understand why some people look at me as the villain.”
Nonetheless, Jack Tatum has lived his time in this world. He was a true legend and people will always stick a memory for the hard-hitter of football.
May his soul rest in peace!
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