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ViewsJack TatumFrom BpWikiJohn David Tatum (born November 18, 1948) nicknamed "The Assassin", is one of the greatest defensive backs ever to play at The Ohio State University. Tatum went on to have a very successful NFL career playing ten seasons from 1971 to 1980 for the Oakland Raiders and one season with the Houston Oilers in the National Football League. Tatum attended The Ohio State University from 1968 until 1970 and was coached by the legendary Woody Hayes. Tatum is known for being one of the hardest hitters ever to play football and is best known for his hit on Darryl Stingley in a pre-season game that left Stingley paralyzed. "I don't care who gets in my way--my mother, my grandmother, my daughter: I'll knock each and every one of them on their ass."-Jack Tatum
[edit] Jack Tatum's Greatest Hits Videoshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdFsSKJivm8 [edit] Childhood yearsJack Tatum was born in Cherryville, North Carolina but grew up mostly in New Jersey, where he had little interest in sports in his early childhood years. In fact, Tatum did not start playing football until his sophomore year at Passaic High School. At the time he played running back, fullback and defensive back and was selected first-team All-State. During his senior year of high school Tatum was selected as a high school All-American.
[edit] Ohio State CareerWore jersey number 32 CB Jack Tatum (1966-1970) Accolades:
"Call me a queer. I'd rather hit than make love, money, or friends." -Jack Tatum' Tatum was recruited to Ohio State as a running back but one of the assistant coaches, supposedly Lou Holtz, convinced Woody Hayes to move Jack to the defensive side of the ball. The switch obviously worked out well as Tatum went on to become one of the best players in Ohio State history. In 1970 he was named the National Defensive Player of the Year and actually got some votes for the Heisman Trophy. Tatum helped the Buckeyes compile an impressive 27-2 record during his 3 seasons and was a member of a National Championship team. [edit] NFL Career'I was paid to be a warhead, and anyone who came near me should get knocked into Hell! -Jack Tatum'' Jack Tatum was drafted by the Oakland Raiders as the 19th pick in the first round of the 1971 NFL Draft. Tatum then played his first professional game against the Baltimore Colts, where he knocked out the Colts' tight ends John Mackey and Tom Mitchell. His toughness and hard hitting ability were evident and some people started to compare him to Chicago Bears great Dick Butkus. Tatum had tremendous success early on so much so that he became the starting free safety in his rookie season. Tatum's most famous hit came during a 1978 preseason game against the New England Patriots in which he hit Patriots wide receiver Darryl Stingley as he was jumping for a pass. The hit resulted in Stingley's spinal cord being badly damaged and left him paralyzed from the chest down. Tatum attempted to visit Stingley at the hospital but was forbidden by Stingley's family. The two players never spoke again and Stingley died on April 5th, 2007. Some of Tatum's more notable accomplishments are that he was a three time pro-bowler from 1973-75 and was a member of the World Champion Raiders in Super bowl XI . [edit] Life After FootballJack Tatum finally married but he waited until after his football career was over to do so. He married a woman named Denise and they have three children, two sons and one daughter. Jack remains connected to the NFL as he is part of the Uniform Code Enforcement Team which ensures that players adhere to the dress code standard of the NFL. In 2001, Jim Tressel, the current head coach of The Ohio State University, instituted the “Jack Tatum hit of the week award". The award is given out each week to the player who had the most impressive hit in a game. There could not be a more fitting tribute for a man who has made his mark on the football field as one of the hardest hitters of all time. [edit] Notable Buckeye Planet Threads
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