Jack Tatum Dies From a Heart Attack

Former Ohio State Buckeye and Oakland Raider Jack Tatum died this week from a heart attack in Oakland California at the age of 61. Tatum was a star defensive back/safety for the Buckeyes from 1968 to 1970. Known as “the Assassin”, Tatum played a hard hitting style of football that would not be allowed under modern football rules.

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Tatum was a two time All American at Ohio State and was named the national Defensive Player of the Year his final season in Columbus. Ohio State went 27-2 with 2 Big Ten championships, a Rose Bowl victory and a National Championship during his time on the team.

Tatum continued his career with the NFL Oakland Raiders, a 1st round selection in 1971, were he was a part of the team that won the 1976 Super Bowl. He also made the NFL Pro-Bowl three times during his professional career. Tatum was known by many for his hit in 1978 that paralyzed Patriot wide-receiver Darryl Stringley.

He suffered a number of years with diabetes which led to the amputation of his left leg below his knee and all five toes on his right foot.

Ohio State currently has a weekly award handed out to a player following a solid hit during a game called the Jack Tatum Hit of the Week. He is a current inductee in the College Football Hall of Fame and the Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame.