It's interesting to hear Madden, who coached Tatum in the NFL, talk about his standout safety:

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/category/rumor-mill/2.php

quote:

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John Madden on Tatum's reaction to Stingley injury: "It ate at him his whole life"

As part of an excellent obituary of former Raiders safety Jack Tatum, who died Tuesday of a heart attack while waiting for a kidney transplant, Sam Farmer of the Los Angeles Times obtained reaction from Tatum's coach in Oakland, John Madden.

Madden told Farmer that the play for which Tatum was most notorious -- the August 1978 hit on Patriots receiver Darryl Stingley that left him paralyzed -- had a dramatic impact on the man who seemed to relish his reputation as a fierce hitter.

"It ate at him his whole life," Madden said of Tatum.

Madden also said that Tatum didn't want to be known as an assassin, but that the label was foisted upon him based on the title to Tatum's autobiography. "After the book, people started to call him 'The Assassin' and say that that was his nickname, which was never true, and that he called himself an assassin, which he didn't," Madden told Farmer. "The story is that he's a high school All-American and he's recruited to Ohio State as a hitter. And he's praised to be a hitter. And he plays at Ohio State and he's an All-American, because he's a hitter. And he goes to the pros and is a first-round draft choice because he's a hitter.

"And then he hits a guy, the guy doesn't get up, and they call him an assassin."

First of all, that brilliant-in-its-simplicity explanation from Madden makes me realize how much I miss hearing him on my television. Second, Tatum really shouldn't be chastised for doing too effectively the job he was hired to do -- especially since the NFL still loves to show us the kinds of hits that Tatum used to dish out, as long as the guy who absorbed the blow was able to get up afterward.

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This happened in 1978 when I was only 7, so really before my time.

Anyone here remember when this happened?



[This message has been edited by mtepera (edited 7/28/2010 11:01a).]

I remember it, but what I can't recall is if I saw it live or as a reply on the news. I recall an ambulance was brought out to the field and it took awhile to put Stingly on the stretcher.

I just remember Stingley not getting up after the hit and being carted off. I was almost 9 and it was the first time I'd ever seen a player not get up after being hit.

It didn't really hit me until I saw Stingley in a wheelchair later on how bad it was.

Stingley died in 2007 from heart disease and pneumonia complicated by his quadriplegia. He was 26 when injured against Tatum's Raiders.

Tatum was a ferocious hitter. Afterwards, Tatum never met with Stingley, which some viewed as arrogance. His coach, John Madden, said that Tatum was never the same after that day.

it's interesting how the game has changed since those days.

Now if one player knocks out another, he just about always calls, visits, or texts to express his remorse, and sends well wishes. You also see a lot of players take a knee on the field.

I seem to remember interviews with tatum where he expresses no remorse, says he wouldn't change a thing, and has no desire to contact the guy...but I could be mistaken.

I for one don't fault him for the hit itself at all, but don't like how he handled himself thereafter...he came across to me as a gigantic a hole.

And maddens obit is the first time I've seen someone indicate he felt bad about it.

Only a few weeks later, the Raiders were involved with another controversial play.

Hard to believe they got away with the Holy Roller:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUuOqUIHBZc

I remember it, though I am sure I saw it as a replay though it seems like they cut to it from the local game.

Tatum's fellow safety at a Ohio State and fellow former pro player, Mike Sensibaugh, owns a small pool company here in St. Louis. Both are on the Ohio State All Century team. I always try to talk some football with him when he is out working on my pool.

the 1970's Oakland Raiders were ahead of their time. Great teams, legendary players, crazy characters, the silver and black mystique, and so many fantastic finishes:

The Holy Roller, the Sea of Hands, the Ghost to the Post, even the Immaculate Reception

you never counted out Kenny Stabler and the Raiders.

quote:

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even the Immaculate Reception

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Jack Tatum again....

I thought I read that Tatum tried to contact Stingley, but that Stingley's family prevented it.