Once considered a villain in the National Football League, Jack Tatum passed away yesterday at the age of 61.  Tatum spent his college career at Ohio State University and played ten seasons in the NFL under both the Oakland Raiders and Houston Oilers. 

Initially recruited to Ohio State as a running back, it was under the advice of assistant coach Lou Holtz that Tatum became a defensive back.  Tatum switched positions and became part of the National Championship team that went 13-0 in 1968.

In 2005, Tatum was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame – 24 years after his induction into the Ohio State Varsity Hall of Fame in 1981.  Tatum is still fondly remembered at Ohio State today as Coach Jim Tressel introduced the “Jack Tatum Hit of the Week Award” in 2001. 

Tatum had a somewhat controversial career in the NFL where he was nicknamed “The Assassin”.  Among his most infamous moments was the hit on Darryl Stingley in a 1978 preseason game that paralyzed the wide receiver from the chest down.  Although the hit was considered to be clean, it did result in the NFL tightening rules regarding the intensity of hits.

Tatum was also involved in what many consider the most remarkable NFL play of all time – The Immaculate Reception.  Tatum collided with Terry Bradshaw’s intended target John Fuqua knocking the ball spiraling into the air and landing into the waiting hands of Franco Harris who scored with the game winning touchdown.

As an NFL player, Tatum was selected to the Pro Bowl three separate times and consecutively in 1973, 1974 and 1975.  During his time in the NFL, Tatum became famous for the remark:

“I like to believe that my best hits border on felonious assault.” 

It was later disclosed that the Oakland Raiders defensive backfield had made side bets before games that paid out according to the severity of an incident.  If a player was knocked out cold or carted off the field, the amount of the payoff would vary accordingly. 

After his career in football ended following the 1980 season, Tatum went on to write three books, including ‘Final Confessions of NFL Assassin” pictured here. All three of which became best sellers.  Tatum also spent many hours volunteering for numerous diabetes associations in the central Ohio area.

The untimely death of Jack Tatum puts to an end his battles with diabetes and controversy.  The unfortunate incident with Stingley often leads many to believe Tatum was vicious and violent.  The Raiders organization and Buckeye family prefer to remember him as an extremely talented and competitive player.  Despite how Tatum may be viewed, his love of the game and fierceness on the field will never be forgotten.

Used with permission of the author.

Cade Caldwell is an Atlanta-based sportswriter and contributor to Sports Climax.

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