Jack Tatum symbolizes the Raiders' ominous mystique more than any other player. He was the hardest hitting, most fearless and nastiest player playing in dirt funk Oakland on one of the most physical teams of the '70s.
At 5'11" and packing 215 pounds of fury, he ran a breakneck 4.38 40-yard-dash while hitting harder than linebackers.
He used pain as a mind game. He said "I like to believe that my best hits border on felonious assault," but he repudiated critics who called his style of play dirty or criminal. He wasn't trying to hurt receivers for the sake of hurting them. He was hurting them as a deterrent, letting them know that they could ease up and not try to show up the defense by making catches or else get blasted and wasted.
The Assassin, Jack Tatum. One of the hardest hitting football players of all-time. Voted best college defensive player in his senior year for the Ohio St. Buckeyes, he also received votes for the Heisman in both his junior and senior years. Current Ohio St. coach Jim Tressel hands out "Jack Tatum Hit of the Week" awards to the player with the hardest defensive hit of the game
It was Tatum's hard hit on Frenchy Fuqua that launched the ball in the air for the Steelers' Immaculate Reception. Any other safety and the ball probably would've dropped gently for a simple incomplete pass.
Jack Tatum finished with 37 interceptions, 3 fumble recoveries including 1 for his only touchdown, a record setting 104 yards. There are no stats for how many players he obliterated and somehow the Hall of Fame has overlooked his excellence so far.
No regrets, no apologies. One of the hardest hitting NFL defensive backs is gone.
Jack Tatum, 61 years.
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