Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Jack "The Assassin" Tatum, R. I. P.

Jack Tatum, the former All-Pro safetyman for the Oakland Raiders best remembered for the hit on Darryl Stingley that left the New England Patriots wide receiver paralyzed in a 1978 preseason game, passed away on Tuesday from a heart attack in Oakland, California at the age of 61.

Mr Tatum, who was nicknamed "The Assassin," was also a central figure in "The Immaculate Reception," which took place in the waning seconds of a 1972 AFC divisional playoff game at Pittsburgh.

With 27 seconds remaining in the contest, Jack jarred loose a pass that Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw had thrown to running back John "Frenchy" Fuqua.  The ball bounced off Frenchy's foot and ricocheted into the arms of his Pittsburgh teammate Franco Harris, who never broke stride and raced 42 yards for the winning touchdown. 

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