Athletes - Jack Tatum

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	Athletes - Jack Tatum

Jack Tatum (born November 18, 1948) is a retired American football player. His position was defensive back.

Playing career

Jack Tatum did not start playing football until he entered high school. In high school he played as a running back, fullback and defensive back. When he started his collegiate career at Ohio State University he played as a running back. The Buckeyes won the national championship in 1968, Tatum's first season with the team. He switched to defensive back during his freshman season. He was First Team All-Big Ten in 1968, 1969 and 1970. In 1969 and 1970 he was a unanimous All American. In 1970 he was selected as the National Defensive Player of the Year. In 2001 Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel institued the "Jack Tatum Hit of the Week Award," given to the player who had the most impressive hit of the game. Tatum assisted the Buckeyes to a 27-2 record in his 3 seasons as a starter, with 2 national championship appearences and one national championship win.

Tatum was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the first round of the 1971 NFL Draft. He earned a reputation as a fierce competitor and hard hitter, and earned the nickname "Assassin." He was voted to three Pro Bowls (1973-1975) in his nine seasons with the Raiders.

In one of most lasting images from Super Bowl XI, Tatum knocked the helmet off Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Sammy White. His most famous hit came in a 1978 preseason game against the New England Patriots. Tatum hit Patriots wide receiver Darryl Stingley as he was leaping for a pass and left him paralyzed from the neck down. Tatum claims that he attempted to visit Stingley in the hopital soon after the hit but was forbidden by Stingley's family. The two have not spoken since that day. Tatum has never apologized for the hit. "I don't think I did anything wrong that I need to apologize for. It was a clean hit."

Tatum finished his pro career with the Houston Oilers in 1980, when he recorded a career high 7 interceptions to finish with a career total of 37, which he returned for 736 yards. He also recovered 9 fumbles in his career, returning them for 164 yards. Tatum also holds the record for the longest fumble return in NFL history. In a 1972 game against the Green Bay Packers, he returned a fumble 104 yards for a touchdown.

Tatum's involvement in the Immaculate Reception during a playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers is also legendary.

Long after his playing career ended, Tatum would eventually face his own disability as his left leg was amputated below the knee in 2003 due to diabetes. In 2005 Tatum was an inductee into the College Football Hall of Fame.

Books

They Call Me Assassin
They Still Call Me Assassin
Final Confessions of NFL Assassin Jack Tatum

[ Visit the complete Wikipedia entry for Jack Tatum ]

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Athletes - Jack Tatum

Playing career

Books

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