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Right before training camp starts one of the hardest hitters passes away almost like it was scripted,but if I know Jack the Grim Reaper is picking his ass off the ground...Rest In Peace Jack!

Here's an article

Snug inside his Silver-and-Black helmet was a full and unruly Afro, a bushy beard, a thick mustache and a pair of dark-brown eyes, heavy-lidded and conveying malevolence.

Jack Tatum looked like an outlaw, which made his visage the most intimidating in Oakland Raiders history.

But Tatum also played defensive back like an outlaw, which is why he was one of the toughest and most feared men ever to suit up in the NFL.

Tatum, who during his career earned the nickname "The Assassin," died Tuesday morning after suffering a heart attack at his Oakland home. He was 61. He leaves behind his wife, Denise, three children and a vault full of indelible memories.

He also leaves behind the terrible misperception that he was a man as chilling and remorseless as his appearance — all of which goes back to a single play that overshadowed a remarkable career. During a 1978 preseason game in Oakland, Tatum delivered a typically brutal hit to New England wide receiver Darryl Stingley. Tatum got up, Stingley did not. He instead lay supine, motionless, having suffered two fractured vertebrae. Paralyzed from the neck down, he spent the rest

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The Assassin was one of the most feared players (if not the most) ever.  Who could forget that collision with Earl Campbell?  Insane!!

RIP Mr. Tatum.

What's crazy Deadman is that I went to work and said "It's a sad day for The RaiderNation."  The Charger fans (and I will respect them for this) said "It is a sad day for football."  The guy was loved as a hard, smack'em, head up player and all real football fans respected that.  And, you are right; the only reason he is not in the HOF is because of the Stingley incident.  But, sadly, now that they have both passed on, Tatum may get his much deserved calling to the HOF.

Last Tribute to Jack Tatum from me.  Hope you like this video I found.  I think it has it all.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1lYWg0_Yz8" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1lYWg0_Yz8</a>

"See you at the crossroads"... a fitting tribute to Tatum. Nice video.

I agree that the Stingly hit probably has a lot to do with Jack not being in the HOF. I'm sure Jack wrestled with the demons of the results of that hit all these years and probably never went through a day without thinking about it in some way. I can only imagine what torture it must have been, especially when Stingly died a few years ago. That being said, bottom line is that Tatum attempted to see Stingly in the hospital after the incident and was turned away by family members. The guilt must have been unimaginable and I can see why the added weight of years would have only compounded the tension.
Then-coaches John Madden and Chuck Fairbanks , both believed there was nothing wrong with the Tatum hit. That's good enough for me. The fact that Tatum developed diabetes later in life and started losing toes and limbs, is really a strange epilogue to the story. Things came full circle and Jack had a chance to get involved with helping in the cause to fight diabetes, and give of his time and money (I've heard quite a bit of money), especially to kids.

If there is an afterlife, I would like to think Tatum AND Stingly are running through endless green fields with the sun on their face and the wind at their back.