Jack Tatum

Jack Tatum

John David "Jack" Tatum (November 18, 1948 – July 27, 2010) was an American football safety who played ten seasons from 1971 through 1980 for the Oakland Raiders and Houston Oilers in the National Football League (NFL). He was popularly known as "The Assassin." He was voted to three consecutive Pro Bowls (1973–1975) and was a member of one Super Bowl-winning team in his nine seasons with the Raiders.

Tatum earned a reputation as a fierce competitor, and was considered one of the hardest hitters ever to play the game. In a 2006 poll by Sports Illustrated on the century's best defensive backs, Tatum finished with eight percent of the vote. He is also known for a hit he made against New England Patriots wide receiver Darryl Stingley in a 1978 preseason game. The hit paralyzed Stingley from the chest down. Tatum was also noted for his involvement in the Immaculate Reception play during a 1972 playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.