Folly. Learn how your comment data is processed. "[4] According to Stingley in his 1983 autobiography, Happy To Be Alive, Tatum never made any effort to apologize or to see him after the incident. After a family intervention, Campbell checked into rehab. Yet this year, he is deliberative as he relishes the biggest honor of a football life filled with so many of them. Campbell grew up poor as one of 11 siblings who all worked the rose fields in Tyler by day. "I never took pills. [5] Richmond, an Oakland journalist and insider, wrote about Tatum's quiet demeanor off the field, which was contrary to most journalistic reports about Tatum. Hard-hitter? He was 61. He was selected a high school All-American as a senior. So did the constant agitation for painkillers, which he would wash down with Budweiser. [15], 1968 Ohio State Buckeyes footballconsensus national champions, 1970 Ohio State Buckeyes footballNFF co-national champions, Las Vegas Raiders first-round draft picks, "Jack Tatum, Whose Tackle Paralyzed Player, Dies at 61", "Jack Tatum dies; Oakland Raiders 'Assassin' was 61", "Jack Tatum dies at 61; Oakland Raider safety whose hit left Darryl Stingley paralyzed", "The Assassin and The Reverend: Remembering the late Jack Tatum", "The wounds never healed for Jack Tatum or Darryl Stingley", "No sting of bitterness: 25 years later, Stingley is still forgiving of Tatum", "Lambeau's Lowlights: There were plenty of not-so-fond moments, too", "NFL Records: Individual Records: Fumbles", "Former NJ Football Star Jack Tatum Dies - You Don't Know Jersey - From High Point to Cape May", FWAA 19691994 Quarter-century All-America Team, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jack_Tatum&oldid=1132878792, African-American players of American football, 20th-century African-American sportspeople, Short description is different from Wikidata, NFL player missing current team parameter, Infobox NFL biography articles with old NFL.com URL, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Career statistics and player information from, This page was last edited on 11 January 2023, at 01:27. he said. But it "ate on him," John Madden said. The NFL still has room for hard-hitting defenders, but it's safe to assume that Tatum wouldn't have been able to do all of the things in today's game that he did in the '70s. Jack Tatum, the storied Oakland Raiders safety best known for landing the hit that paralyzed New England receiver Darryl Stingley, has died. (0:47). "[9] Tatum never apologized for the style he played, stating that, "It's unrealistic. In his final two seasons he was a unanimous All-American. Todays players are probably faster as a whole but not stronger and not more physical. 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". For me it will always be The allusion is to Campbell's greatest hit, or at least his favorite. You saw what the Lawrence Taylor, Carl Banks, Lenny Marshall Giants did to QBs. Tatum, who was known for his devastating hits, including one a year earlier that ended the career of Darryl Stingley and left him paralyzed, delivered a blow to Campbell that he never saw coming. It's the same diagnosis that caused Michael Irvin to retire midseason and caused Cooper Manning to give up football at Ole Miss before his brothers went on to the NFL. Do players have a longer career nowadays than before? Hes really lucky he was not injured severely with that hit, the way his head snaps back and then the way he falls. "Because if that right lick had ever hit me, I would've permanently been in a wheelchair.". After a decade-plus, it's still taking time for us to really get to know him again.". "[Former Texas defensive coordinator Todd] Orlando told me to my face, 'We're trying to save you from you. In 1974, Tatum had six interceptions and in Super Bowl XI on January 9, 1977, Tatum knocked the helmet off Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Sammy White. This has nothing to do with jealousy its just the facts. But to play football youve got to be pretty physical.. When I was standing on my head in my end zone, nobody knew this, but I was thinking, 'Something's wrong.'". And by offering quotes such as this to the media: "I like to believe that my best hits border on felonious assault.". But Campbell doesnt like it. But after retirement, he started out on his own and followed whatever advice was offered. I mean I've gotten cut in my throat. Feb 1, 2017 10:20 AM Check the tube. What happened to Stingley was very unfortunate and I'm sure he'll never be able to forgive Tatum for putting him into a wheelchair. . "There's more risk, frankly, for the player putting your head down than it is for the player enduring the hit," Spoonamore said. Im sorry, but Ive seen Earl Campbell in person on several occasions at autograph signings and things like that. Garrett Wilson RPA- 1:7 Odds to Get a Pictured Hit!All 21 packs will be auctioned off exclusively at AuctionofChampions.com. It is remarkable for several reasons. Feb 1, 2017 10:58 AM Jack Tatum was 5 ft 10 inches, 200 lb (1.78 m, 90 kg). "A shock went down to the heels on my feet. Feb 1, 2017 10:20 AM . And it burned. He earned All-Pro status for covering receivers, not just leveling them, while also providing tremendous support against the run. After the Houston Oilers selected Earl Campbell with the first pick of the 1978 NFL draft, he proved Switzers theory right and became a dominant force in the NFL his rookie year, when he rushed for a league-leading 1,450 yards, and scored 13 touchdowns. During his time with the Raiders, he developed a reputation for being one of the league's hardest-hitting players. His views on the current game are a little surprising. I travel. Whether Wilt Chamberlain basketball, Babe Ruth or Joe DiMaggio or Cy Young baseball, Dick Night Train Lane or Paul Krause or Green Bay Packers, Boston Celtics and Montreal Canadians greatest of the greats in yesteryears, stellar era, the teams, players and records theirs remain unmatched, and not close to having been exceeded. Campbell never saw Tatum, who was obscured by his linemen and arrived at full speed, meeting him at the goal line with the crown of his helmet delivering a brutal blow right under Campbell's chin. [1] Soon after the game, sportswriters started to compare him to Chicago Bears linebacker Dick Butkus because of his hard-hitting skills, and he became the starting free safety in his rookie year. What has really changed for running backs? Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Luke Getsy will lead the American team and Las Vegas Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham will head the National team. Sort of bad for business to know a player will likely have a short life with repeated head trauma. Campbell. "They were trying to save me from possibly harming myself.". Earl Campbell's undiagnosed spinal condition was particularly dangerous for the type of power runner he was. Plus, the equipment (protection) was inferior back then, so you hit as hard as your soft tissue could take it. But after watching his A Football Life hes become one of my favorite players of all time. Thank god that Campbell isnt trying to sue the NFL claiming that he didnt know playing football would have long term physical effects. . And it burned. Could Tom Brady end up in Miami, after all? But now, Campbell can sit in a luxury box and appreciate the miracle of watching the University of Texas play on a football field bearing his name. By that time, Tatum's teammates, as well as Tatum himself, began to call him "Assassin" because of his fearsome style of play. "Well, what are you waiting for? The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. He also realizes the lasting influence of having his name forever etched on a football field. He was shocked by Bum's question to the coaches and scouts the first time they met to discuss potential prospects. Since then, the NFL has placed much greater emphasis on player safety, and continues to do so with rules adjustments designed to help minimize a player's exposure to injury. NFL+ gives you the freedom to watch LIVE out-of-market preseason games, LIVE local and primetime regular season and postseason games on your phone or tablet, the best NFL programming on-demand, and MORE! [10] He first worked for the Raiders organization, and soon became a land developer and moved into the real-estate business. [3][4] Sportswriters John Clayton and Peter Richmond both wrote on Tatum's NFL legacy. He said this hit, by Jack Tatum in 1979 . How many games has Brady missed due to injury aside from the acl/mcl tear? I went and got help for that and I'm not ashamed of it.". Off the field, he wore Wranglers and giant belt buckles and did Skoal commercials. "[12], The Oakland Raiders were one of the more resilient teams of the 1970s, and Tatum's leadership was a major contributor. Despite knocking one of the most powerful backs to. Not a member? He was 61. . [3], The incident affected Tatum personally and for several years, according to close friend John Hicks, made him "somewhat of a recluse". All for free, and available on all devices at SonicHits.com. Bradys, or any QBs job isnt to be physical, so not sure why this even matters, hes not a linebacker. #3 Earl. His views on the current game are a little surprising. But now . He was named the AP Rookie of the Year, AP Offensive Player of the Year, and was named to the All-Pro and Pro Bowl teams. He is a proud member of Alcoholics Anonymous, even going to meetings in Times Square during his trip for the Heisman Trophy ceremony. Earl Campbell is one of the greatest players in Titans/Oilers franchise history. He said this hit, by Jack Tatum in 1979, sent a shock down his legs. RoY 1979 Bert Bell Award (Player of the Year) He looks completely physically destroyed. It's a narrowing of the space inside the spine, leading to pressure on nerves, and causes pain, weakness or numbness. [2], He holds the record for the longest fumble return in NFL history. He has had both knees replaced. He followed that by running for 1,934 yards in 1980, averaging 5.2 yards per carry despite being a marked man by every defense. Hall of Fame safety Ronnie Lott, who was to the 1980s what Tatum was to the 1970s, called the Raiders standout one of his football heroes."One of his greatest hits I ever saw was him hitting Earl . Marc Ross examines which first-round picks from the 2020 NFL Draft should have their fifth-year options picked up. There was plenty of thought behind what Tatum did on the field. Back then, you had a bunch of semi-fit large dudes whacking each other, but it wasnt at the speed of todays game. There's no problem with me. It wasn't always easy to notice while focusing on Tatum's ability to make contact. But Tatum had no reason to regret the career he had -- a career that was about a whole lot more than a single play. JACK TATUM HITS EARL CAMPBELL A collision between two of the strongest of an era is a standoff #JackTatumDocumentary #EarlCampbell #HoustonOilers #NFL #Football #raiders #silverandblack #lasvegashair. For entertainment purposes only)This is not intended for children it's for all ages#jackjaumhighlights #NFLLegendHighlights #jacktatumoakland,las vegas,raiders,oakland raiders,32,jack tatum,assassin,nfl,nfl highlights,las vegas raiders,jack tatum hits,hall of famer,jacktatum,jack tatum hits earl campbell,jack tatum the assassin,jack tatum highlights,jacktatumhighlights,jack tatum highlights hits,nfl hardest hits,hardest hits,nfl legends "Most of the people playing against him were worried about getting hurt, him running over them," Wade Phillips said. As Campbell lay unconscious, his massive legs would jump on the operating room table when Jones would try to remove the screws, which had begun poking into nerves. In a 1979 game against the Raiders, Campbell took a handoff on the 1-yard-line on a sweep to his right. The force compressed Stingley's spinal cord and fractured two vertebrae, leaving him paralyzed and a quadriplegic. "I was mad at myself, literally crying in my dorm, like why did I tell them about the symptoms?" Former Oklahoma University head coach Barry Switzer said in his book that Earl Campbell was a rarity and was good enough to play in the NFL when he arrived at the University of Texas. A lot of people had it wrong about Jack Tatum. ', Sam Ehlinger and Texas Longhorns Have Confirmed Fans Worst Fears. He still prefers to be careful and use a scooter or golf cart, "but I still drive a car. Earl Campbell, nicknamed "The Tyler Rose," was one of the most powerful running backs in NFL history. Where do Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa and Packers QB Jordan Love stand? With Houston at the 1-yard line, the entire building knew Campbell would get the ball. And even more incredibly, he now realizes it's possible the career that changed the trajectory of his life might not have even happened if he were playing today. AUSTIN, Texas - NFL Hall of Famer Earl Campbell said Tuesday he is undergoing nerve treatment after doctors ruled out concerns that he might have Lou Gehrig's disease. . Few could match his combination of speed and power, especially the power. Team doctors looked after Campbell once he arrived in Texas and then in the NFL. In a game against the Green Bay Packers on September 24, 1972, he returned a fumble 104 yards for a touchdown. Loved by Raiders fans and despised by those who followed every other team, Tatum was a key part of the fabric of the game in the 1970s. At Texas football games, he was always in a golf cart or riding on a scooter. He cries to the ref when a pass rusher falls at his ankles John David Tatum (November 18, 1948 July 27, 2010) was an American football safety. During the 1970s, the Oakland Raiders were one of the most physical teams in the league. I can only imagine what would happen if he got picked up and was pile driven to the turf like Bradshaw was against the Browns years ago, and that has happened to countless QBs over and over. Look at Tatum hit Earl Campbell, who falls like Ali to Holmes, on the goal line. [4] Tatum helped lead the Buckeyes to a 272 record in his three seasons as a starter, with two national championship appearances, two Big Ten titles and two national championships in 1968 and 1970. [3] His kidneys started to fail in his final years, and he was awaiting a kidney transplant at the time of his death. pic.twitter.com/O9goi6mEeJ, "The lick I took from Jack Tatum, that's the only time I ever felt somebody hit me," Campbell said. Donnie Shell's Famous Hit on Earl Campbell Tim McMillen - mcmillenandwife 3.49K subscribers 216K views 2 years ago Hall of Famer Donnie Shell's famous hit on Earl Campbell, badly bruising. In 1979, on the goal line against the Oakland Raiders, he . His passing on Tuesday, at age 61, brings forth many more memories than those that come from a seemingly endless highlight reel of his bone-jarring mayhem. The two that instantly come to mind are the ones delivered by Nate Clements and Elvis Dumervil. 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. The self-professed country boy who had avoided the temptations of the 1980s as a football star didn't foresee the danger of prescription painkillers. "It's actually more common for people to get paralyzed or have a bad neck injury because you lower your head and engage the other player that way. Dr. Kinsey delivered him and was so close to the family he even suggested names. Jack Tatum, the storied Oakland Raiders safety best known for landing the hit that paralyzed New England receiver Darryl Stingley, has died. 1 pick in the 1978 draft to select him. Brady would have been folded. The Buckeye player who upholds his collision tradition during a game receives the "Jack Tatum Hit of the Week" award. The truth came late to Campbell himself, which is why he hasn't told this story in much detail before. Feb 1, 2017 1:28 PM Tatum's most infamous hit 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. Well, football is not played like it was when I played, Campbell told USA Today. No copyright infringement intended. Just not as physical as it used to be. But that wasn't the extent of Tatum's 10 seasons in the NFL. Have yet to see any player faster let alone as fast Bullet Bob Hayes of 9.1 hundred fame. They are bigger, stronger, and faster today, and it wouldnt be worth playing the same way given what would result. Despite such artificial advantage, have failed to match let alone top various sports records set the 20th century, 1900s. Earl probably had a contusion of the spinal cord at that time, which would explain the burning. Earl was such a beast that in todays NFL, he would be the one getting called for unnecessary roughness every time he carried the ball. He went to an in-patient rehab program for a painkiller addiction. Brady would never make it in a more physical NFL. Earl Campbell made the Pro Bowl in five of his first six seasons in the NFL. The win also gave the Steelers the AFC Central division title, not the AFC championship. But if you don't recognize the greatness of this hit (on multiple levels), you don't understand the game. Archie Manning was a far Superior athlete than either of his 2 QB kids and he got murdered in the 70s as his kids would have too. He took a handoff on the 1-yard line and veered off tackle to the right. But Id rather watch the football players of the past than the businessmen of today. 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