Buckeye fans as well as fans of the Oakland Raiders received sad news yesterday as "The Assassin" Jack Tatum passed away from a heart attack at the age of 61.
Tatum had a massive heart attack,but had been suffering from diabetes among other health issues for years.
Tatum was a member of the 1968 Buckeye National Championship team and part of a class that lost just two games over three years for Ohio State.
To this day after every Buckeye game,"the Jack Tatum hit of the game" award is given out weekly.
Tatum's crushing hits earned the nickname "Assassin" and his game likely wouldn't be allowed under today's pitty-pat rules,but in his time was the best in the league bar none and that includes Donnie Shell for you Steeler fans out there.
Sadly,Tatum is most remembered for the hit that paralyzed the late Darryl Stingley of the Patriots in a 1978 pre-season game,but there was far more to Jack Tatum than just that moment.
Others best remember Tatum for being the Raider involved in the controversial "Immaculate Reception" that started the Steeler dynasty with a 1972 playoff win that is questioned to this day,but most remember the intimidating presence of Jack Tatum pounding pass catchers that dared to come over the middle against the Oakland Raiders.
The most famous Tatum hit that has been seen most over the years was his shot in Super Bowl 11 that sent the helmet of Minnesota's Sammy White flying across the field after a Tatum hit.
Watching that on replay makes me wonder two things-How did White not get injured seriously on the play and how did he hold onto the ball for the catch?
Jack Tatum should at least be in the discussion for membership in the Hall of Fame especially considering some of the players that have been inducted recently that scream questionable selection-Example John Randle for one....
Thanks for the memories,Assassin and through NFL Films your legacy will live on....
Bullpen Notes
I have not commented on the NHL's ruling to disallow the Ilya Kovalchuk signing,but I will say this-I don't think that any anti-Devil bias was part of the NHL's decision.
I have stated in the past that I do believe that there is an anti-Devil bias in the media,but I do not believe that is the case within the league.
The leagues case is that the Devils circumvented the cap and to an certain extent that is the case,but I don't think the Devils broke any rules,they simply found a loophole that was no different really than the Blackhawks signing of Marian Hossa last off season.
Should the loophole be closed in the next labor agreement?
Sure,but the Devils shouldn't be punished for finding a way to play within the rules that were given....
Nice article by Jim Caple of ESPN on the Baseball Hall of Fame and if you could, which players would you remove with hindsight.
That may be our next poll question.
Until tomorrow or maybe even later tonight...
Photo Credit-10tv.com
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