Jack Tatum facts for kids

John David Tatum (November 18, 1948 – July 27, 2010) was a famous American football player. He played as a safety for 10 seasons. From 1971 to 1980, he played for the Oakland Raiders and Houston Oilers in the National Football League (NFL).

Tatum was known for his powerful playing style. People often called him "the Assassin." He was chosen for the Pro Bowl three times in a row (1973–1975). He also helped the Raiders win a Super Bowl during his nine seasons with the team. Tatum is also remembered for a collision with New England Patriots player Darryl Stingley in a 1978 game. This event led to changes in how the NFL looked at player safety.

Jack Tatum is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame. He was recognized as an All-American in 1969 and 1970. The Oakland Raiders picked him in the first round of the 1971 NFL Draft. He quickly became known as one of the hardest hitters in football history. Tatum was also involved in the famous "Immaculate Reception" play during a 1972 playoff game.

Early Life & High School Football

Jack Tatum was born in Cherryville, North Carolina. He grew up in Passaic, New Jersey. When he was younger, he wasn't very interested in sports.

Starting Football in High School

Tatum didn't start playing football until his sophomore year at Passaic High School. He played several positions, including running back and defensive back. He was so good that he was chosen as a first-team All-State player. As a senior, he was named a high school All-American. In 1999, a newspaper called Star-Ledger named Tatum one of New Jersey's top ten defensive players of the century.

College Football Career

Jack Tatum chose to play college football at The Ohio State University. The head coach, Woody Hayes, first wanted Tatum to be a running back. But an assistant coach, Lou Holtz, suggested he play defensive back instead.

Tatum's Role at Ohio State

At Ohio State, Tatum usually covered the other team's best wide receiver. But he was also strong enough to play as a linebacker sometimes. He could tackle even the biggest players. He first became famous as a sophomore in 1968. He helped his team upset the Purdue Boilermakers by limiting their star player, Leroy Keyes.

College Achievements and Awards

Tatum was a first-team All-Big Ten player in 1968, 1969, and 1970. In his last two seasons, he was a unanimous All-American. In 1970, he was named the National Defensive Player of the Year. He was also a top contender for the Heisman Trophy, which goes to the best college football player.

Tatum helped the Buckeyes win 27 out of 29 games during his three years as a starter. They won two Big Ten titles and two national championships in 1968 and 1970. He was inducted into the Ohio State Varsity O Hall of Fame in 1981. In 2004, he joined the College Football Hall of Fame. Ohio State even created the "Jack Tatum Hit of the Week Award" in his honor.

NFL Career with the Raiders

The Oakland Raiders drafted Jack Tatum as the 19th pick in the first round of the 1971 NFL Draft. They wanted him to bring strong defense to their team. Tatum signed a big contract and quickly earned his nickname, "The Assassin." However, his coach, John Madden, said players didn't actually call him that during games.

Becoming a Star Safety

In his first professional game, Tatum showed his powerful tackling skills. Sportswriters quickly compared him to famous players like Dick Butkus. He became the starting free safety in his very first year. In 1974, Tatum caught six interceptions.

Super Bowl XI Victory

One of Tatum's most famous moments was in Super Bowl XI on January 9, 1977. He made a huge hit on Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Sammy White. This hit is still considered one of the biggest in Super Bowl history. The Raiders won the game against the Vikings, 32–14.

The Darryl Stingley Incident

On August 12, 1978, in a preseason game, Tatum was involved in a serious collision with New England Patriots wide receiver Darryl Stingley. This play was a common one that Tatum had done many times. The impact caused a severe injury to Stingley.

The NFL did not punish Tatum for the tackle. However, this incident led the NFL to make its rules about player safety much stricter. The event deeply affected Tatum. His coach, John Madden, said it stayed with Tatum his whole life. Stingley later said he had forgiven Tatum. Tatum never apologized for his playing style, believing that injuries are a part of playing football professionally.

Final Season with the Oilers

After nine seasons with the Raiders, Tatum was traded to the Houston Oilers in 1980. He played all 16 games that year. He had a career-high seven interceptions, bringing his total to 37 interceptions. He also recovered nine fumbles during his career.

Life After Football

Jack Tatum retired from football after the 1980 season. He first worked for the Raiders team. Then, he became a land developer and worked in real estate. He also became a part-owner of a restaurant.

Tatum was married and had three children. He wrote three books about his football career: They Call Me Assassin (1980), They Still Call Me Assassin (1989), and Final Confessions of NFL Assassin Jack Tatum (1996).

Health Challenges and Passing

Later in his life, Jack Tatum faced serious health issues. In 2003, he had to have all five toes on his left foot removed due to a serious infection caused by diabetes. Eventually, he lost his entire left leg below the knee. He also lost his right leg due to a blocked artery. He used a prosthetic leg after that.

Tatum worked to raise awareness about diabetes. He created the Jack Tatum Fund for Youthful Diabetes to help fund research. In his final years, his kidneys began to fail, and he was waiting for a kidney transplant.

Jack Tatum passed away in Oakland on July 27, 2010, after a heart attack. The Oakland Raiders said he was a "standard bearer and an inspiration" for safeties in football. Many people, including other football players and sportswriters, remembered his strong playing style and his impact on the game.

Legacy in Football

Jack Tatum was a key leader for the Oakland Raiders in the 1970s. He was part of the famous "Soul Patrol" secondary, along with Pro Football Hall of Famer Willie Brown, George Atkinson, and Skip Thomas.

NFL Films ranked him as the sixth hardest hitter in NFL history. He was chosen for three Pro Bowls. Tatum also holds an NFL record for the longest fumble return. On September 24, 1972, he returned a fumble 104 yards for a touchdown in a game against the Green Bay Packers. This record was tied 28 years later by Aeneas Williams.

In 2008, Tatum was honored by his old high school, Passaic High School. They held "Jack Tatum Day" during their annual Thanksgiving football game. His number 32 jersey was officially retired during a halftime ceremony.