Tatum collided with Fuqua, knocking the ball into the air. Head coach Woody Hayes recruited Tatum as a running back. He died on July 27, 2010 in Oakland, California, USA. According to Madden, “It was something that ate on him for his whole life.” According to Stingley in his 1983 autobiography,Tatum was traded to the Houston Oilers for running back Kenny King and two seventh round draft choices in the 1980 NFL Draft and 1981 NFL Draft.Tatum eventually faced his own disability challenges, as all five toes on his left foot were amputated in 2003 due to a staph infection caused by diabetes.Tatum died in Oakland on July 27, 2010 after a heart attack. In a game against the Tatum was honored by Passaic High School during their 2008 season. Tatum's hitting style was well recognized in the 1970s, and his Tatum visited a number of universities before starting his collegiate career with Tatum was involved in one of the more significant plays in National Football League history, the Tatum's most infamous tackle came in an exhibition game against the The incident affected Tatum personally and for several years, according to close friend Tatum retired after being released by the Oilers following the 1980 season.Tatum eventually faced his own disability challenges, as all five toes on his left foot were amputated in 2003 due to a The Oakland Raiders were one of the more resilient teams of the 1970s, and Tatum's leadership was a major contributor.He holds the record for the longest fumble return in NFL history. In the storied rivalry between Ohio State and Michigan, Tatum and his fellow Buckeyes won in 1968 by the score of 50-14, lost in 1969 by 24-12, and won again in 1970 by 20-9.Tatum was drafted by the Oakland Raiders as the 19th pick in the first round of the 1971 NFL Draft to replace former Oakland safety Dave Grayson, who retired after the 1970 season, and for “defensive stability”. Tatum was born in Cherryville, North Carolina, and grew up in Passaic, New Jersey, where he had little interest in playing sports in his early years. Jack was born to Lewis and Annie Mae (Starr) Tatum on Nov. 18, 1949 in Gastonia NC. Website powered by
He was selected a high school All-American as a senior. Jack Tatum: Pos: DB, Career: 136 G, 37 Int, 1 TD, 3xProBowl, Raiders/Oilers 1971-1980, born NC 1948, died 2010 Jack Tatum, (John David Tatum), American football player (born Nov. 18, 1948, Cherryville, N.C.—died July 27, 2010, Oakland, Calif.), earned the nickname “the Assassin” with his exceptionally hard tackles, one of which paralyzed New England Patriots wide receiver Darryl Stingley in a 1978 NFL preseason game. Jack Tatum, Self: The NFL on CBS. Jack Tatum (32), who came from an era of hard running and harder hits, died Tuesday.
Tatum did not begin playing football until he entered his sophomore year at Passaic High School, where he played as a running back, fullback and defensive back and was selected first-team All-State. He first became known to college football observers as a sophomore when he helped limit All-American Leroy Keyes during a 13-0 upset against the Purdue Boilermakers during the early part of the 1968 season.Tatum was an first-team All-Big Ten in 1968, 1969 and 1970. Tatum and Patriots wide receiver Darryl Stingley collided as Stingley was leaping for a pass on an inside slant route, a play the Patriots had run earlier in the game with some success that put him in the path of Tatum. Jack Tatum was born on November 18, 1948 in Cherryville, North Carolina, USA as John David Tatum. Sportswriters John Clayton and Peter Richmond both wrote on Tatum’s NFL legacy.In the end it is a shame that Jack Tatum is remembered mainly for the hit on Darryl Stingley and for being a dirty player. The referees ruled that Tatum had touched the ball and therefore Harris’s touchdown was permitted, allowing the Steelers to win the game.His most infamous tackle came in an exhibition game against the New England Patriots on August 12, 1978, a play that Tatum later stated he did “thousands of times” in practice and in regular game coverage. September 2, 2020
Tatum was used by the Buckeyes to cover the opposing team’s best wide receiver, but he also was used occasionally as a linebacker due to the nature of his hits and his innate ability to bring down even the biggest fullback or tight end. This is often regarded as one of the biggest hits in Super Bowl history. Tatum helped lead the Buckeyes to a 27-2 record in his three seasons as a starter, with two national championship appearances, two Big Ten titles and one national championship win in 1968, Tatum’s first season with the team.
He moved with his parents to Clifton NJ at the age of 6.