Darryl Stingley Passes on at 55

[Favpack]

Darryl Stingley - RIP. For you youngsters - Stingley was a wr with the Patriots, came over the middle in a game against the Raiders and was hammered by Jack Tatum. He was paralyzed from the shoulders down - that was 30 years ago.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/6647374

I wonder if Jack Tatum ever felt any remorse?

[RocklandDragon]

Well, in the public eye Tatum has repeatedly stated he has nothing to apologize for. ESPN will probably replay the interview.

[RocklandDragon]

In a book that Tatum wrote, he said he felt remorse for the hit. He didn't mean to hurt him that bad. He has repeatedly stated that the hit was legal and wasn't dirty...so he has nothing to apologize for.

[Favpack]

LT snapped Theismann's leg like a twig on a totally clean play. Yet, LT was remorseful and sad it happened. I never had a huge problem with the hit - it was his attitude afterward - never contacted Stingley, never felt remorseful, etc.

Of course, Tatum coldcocked Swann on a totally dirty hit - gave him a concussion - and wasn't remorseful about that either.

[Bobcat81]

I remember that hit like it was yesterday.

Being a defense oriented kinda guy, i've always admired players that could hit like Jack Tatum but on the same token, i lose all respect for a player that can't bring himself to at least express condolence to someone that has suffered permanent injury as a result of their actions. The Radiers were notorious for being some of the meanest physical bunch in the NFL back during that time.

In an article i read it was stated that Tatum never gave that level of sentiment for that hit. Even some of his own players on the Raiders thought it was un-necessary because they thought the hit was a little from behind and the game really didn't mean anything since it was an exhibition game.

I'm all for getting as physical as the rules allow, but in this case there should have been a little more sportsmanship exhibited after the fact.

Many of Stingley's team mates from the Patriots will undoubtedly attend his funeral, as well as Some of the Raiders that played in that game back in 1978, but i would be surprised to see Tatum there.

[Favpack]

Let's also remember this was a pre-season game - meaningless as always. Tatum was sending a message.

[Sacred Ground]

Rest in peace Darryl Stingley, you are now free of your paralized body. It was a shame that this happened to a young talented reciever.

Jack Tatum was a well known head hunter and put a lot of vicious hits on other players. I'm surprised he didn't break his on neck in the process of attempting to break his opponents neck.

[toddg]

bad karma? jack tatum has his own problems with debilitating diebetes.

[Dog Will Hunt]

Hit a knee boys, he was a good HOMBRE. Dang, !



Former Patriots receiver Darryl Stingley dies
Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - Former New England Patriots wide receiver Darryl Stingley died Thursday at the age of 55.

He passed away at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago.

Stingley is probably best-remembered for the hit he took that ended his career in an exhibition game. On August 12, 1978, Oakland safety Jack Tatum drilled Stingley, who was left paralyzed by the hit.

"The Kraft family and the entire New England Patriots organization is deeply saddened to learn of the death of Darryl Stingley," the Patriots organization said in a statement. "He was a great player and an even better person. We extend heartfelt condolences to the Stingley family. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of Darryl's friends and family who will mourn his loss."

A first-round draft pick in 1973 out of Purdue, Stingley played in 60 games with 53 starts during his five-year career. He caught 110 passes for 1,883 yards with 14 touchdowns.

04/05 11:16:28 ET

[GoOwls]

bad karma? jack tatum has his own problems with debilitating diebetes.

Yes he does, I heard today that he lost one or both of his legs to the disease. Strangely ironic.

[0487]

R I P from a raider fan.

[Leander 6136]

Maybe this article would shed some light on Tatum's side. I have never seen the hit so I won't comment on the legitamacy of the hit but I was always told there are two sides to every sory and the truth is usually some where in between.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=jc-tatum040607&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

[RocklandDragon]

Maybe this article would shed some light on Tatum's side. I have never seen the hit so I won't comment on the legitamacy of the hit but I was always told there are two sides to every sory and the truth is usually some where in between.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=jc-tatum040607&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

Good point.

[GoOwls]

Maybe this article would shed some light on Tatum's side. I have never seen the hit so I won't comment on the legitamacy of the hit but I was always told there are two sides to every sory and the truth is usually some where in between.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=jc-tatum040607&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

I was watching the night it happened and I was there for Tatum's career. The hit was the exclamation point on his violent career. He was vilified in every stadium he played in for his cheap hits, back when cheap hits were O.K. because his hit were SOOOOOOO cheap and SOOOOOOO hard. He was over the top and was the main reason the Raiders got their reputation. All this happened BEFORE the hit to Stingley.

Let's just say that Tatum was the poster boy for cheap hits in an NFL who still pretty much ignored the dangers they posed. He was the worst of the worst, and he didn't care if he hurt you or not, and he said so many times.

Do a little more leg work on this guy and find out the real stories on him and you won't ever think about making excuses for him. He was just plain mean.