Jack Tatum (The Assassin) 1948-2010 R.I.P.
by TheRaiderWay on Jul 27, 2010 11:55 AM PDT
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Raider Nation has lost one of its all time greats today with reports that former Raiders safety Jack Tatum died this morning of an apparent hear attack. According to 10TV.com which first reported the sad news, Tatum suffered for years from diabetes:
Tatum suffered from diabetes for years. He lost all five toes on his left foot, and his right leg was amputated.
The hard-nosed safety's autobiography was titled They Call Me Assassin. For the youngsters in the crowd, YouTube will get you up to speed regarding Tatum's substance, and his style. (And please wait to see Tatum's hit on Earl Campbell. Then stick around to see whether Sammie White's head was in his helmet while it was rolling around on the field.)
A member of the College Football Hall of Fame, Ohio State presents during the season a "Jack Tatum Hit of the Week" award.
Tatum embodied what Raider football was all about coming from a different era when football was really football. He will always be one of my favorite Raiders and my condolences go out to his family and all of the Raider family for our loss. RIP Jack.
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RIP, Mr. Tatum
.
"Dodger fans aren’t happy when foul balls get into their section, because it interferes with their playing with the beachball"- Mike Krukow
A truly dark day for the nation
one of our best ever has gone on to the great gridiron in the sky. Thanks for the memories, Assassin.
It's a joke that this man still isn't in the Hall of Fame
I met Mr. Tatum once at Ricky’s, he was a class act all the way around. This was before cell phones had cameras on them, I wish I could’ve taken a picture with him. He was a true legend. RIP.
Agreed, he deserves his place in Canton. RIP
If my mother put on a helmet and shoulder pads and a uniform that wasn't the same as the one I was wearing, I'd run over her if she was in my way. And I love my mother.
Bo Jackson
Thank you Mr. Tatum
Long live the Assassin in Raiders lore.
You all occupy a world dominated by Kobe Bryant, consider yourself fortunate.
RIP Jack...
I remember seeing Tatum highlights on NFL Films and thinking that that was a guy I’d never want to see on the field, much less coming over the middle. Condolences to his family from a fan of a bitter rival.
"My ambition is handicapped by laziness"
— Charles Bukowski
by NYSteelersFan4 on Jul 27, 2010 12:26 PM PDT reply actions
Damnation and Blast it All!!!
He was one of my favorites as a calf growing up – RIP, Hitman Jack, we need you now moore than ever…
:=8(
Big McLargehuge!
:=8O
RIP Jack Tatum
One of the reasons I’m a Raider fan
by GiantsReignSupreme on Jul 27, 2010 12:43 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
RIP Tatum
An Assassin in this life, surely An Assassin in the next.
The FairWeather Channel - Sports Comics and Bandwagon Forecast
Tatum
In a far more savage age of football no one played more savagely than Jack Tatum. I grew up holding my breath when a pass went into the Oakland secondary because you never knew what you might see.The most intimidating force to ever play in the secondary, no doubt.
by My beloved raiders on Jul 27, 2010 1:09 PM PDT reply actions
RIP Jack Tatum
I remember my dad telling me stories of him when I was a child .. Never had the opportunity to watch him play (he played well before my time), but I have seen many highlights. It would be great seeing the Raiders do something for him this season .. Him being only number six on that hit list seems almost as criminal as him not being in the HOF ..
Hardcore Raiders Fans are 5150 ,, (iBleedSilverNBlack)
by RaiderCreator5150 on Jul 27, 2010 1:22 PM PDT reply actions
RIP
I remember watching him play the Chargers, you could almost feel the hits right through the screen. Absolutely one of the greats.
"Football is a physical sport, sometimes you have a disagreement on what's going on, and you have a discussion about it." Kris Dielman
by Brian (DaBolts) on Jul 27, 2010 1:28 PM PDT reply actions
#32 RIP
One of my favorite raiders of all time he gave the organization its mean streak during the championship days. Rest in Peace.
by americaneagle510 on Jul 27, 2010 1:33 PM PDT reply actions
RIP to the Quintessential Raider, Jack Tatum
(and I love seeing my man Ted “Mad Stork” Hendricks stalking about right behind Jack in that awesome signed photo of yours)
R.I.P. Jack Tatum
Sad day for the Nation. We all mourn the passing of one of our icons. This Bud’s for you Mr. Tatum!
Jack Tatum
Tatum stripped the hypocrisy from football. For a safety, it’s about hitting and hurting. If you can put somebody out, that’s part of the game. Through his vicious hits, Tatum revealed football’s violent side and without apology. You don’t like violence, find another game. But don’t sit there and talk about “ringing his bell” or “putting a good hat on him.” Call it what it is: bone crushing hitting that strikes fear into others. That’s what he was paid to do, and no one did it better. Don’t try to soften it. After all, Tatum described himself as the assassin.
That’s good enough for me.
THANK YOU for everything Assassin 32.
Much love to your family.
"We've got to start listening to coach Belichick...we've got the best coach of all time. He's got the answers."
-Tom Brady, May 10/10
RIP. I wish I was alive to see you play.
"It's like Will Smith, remember the Fresh Prince? Get the ball don't let nobody else shoot? That's kinda what the offense can be sometimes, and they're just standing around waiting for Monta to make a play"
-MT2
by golden_solitude on Jul 27, 2010 2:33 PM PDT reply actions
WOW............
I feel like I just lost an uncle , Jack you were the man ! You were the best enforcer at the safety position bar none! I wish all your family members the best and hope that the afterlife treats you well R.I.P. #32
Bongsmoke
jack tatum...Mike Mitchell's Hero...
That is soo sad and ironic. I didnt realize Tatum had so many health problems at the end. At least new comer Mike Mitchell can help carry on his legacy—Tatum was his idol.. Does anyone know if Mitchell is still with the Raiders…?
http://americasnewsnow.com/video-oakland-raider-jack-tatum-dies-mike-mitchells-hero-oakland-raider-hard-hitting-jack-tatum-dies-at-61.html
yes he was drafted last year in the 2nd round
pretty sure he is still on the team
by raiderfan4life on Jul 27, 2010 3:27 PM PDT up reply actions
absofreakinlutely
and he will be an integral part of this year’s menacing D. :D
"If your only ambition in life, is to be a better person; well, that's just the best ambition you can have..." Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew
RIP Jack!
When I was a kid I had this game 
I loved that game. There was one play that started with a flash to Tatum looming pre-snap in the d-backfield. He adjusts his cup or just positions his giant balls or something and I knew what was coming next. Sammy White was about to get leveled. That was my favorite part of VCR QB.
In my mind that is the most iconic hit in the history of the NFL. It was my first exposure to the Assassin After I saw that hit, I sought out as much information and highlights of Jack as possible. A true Raider! Thanks for the great memories Jack!
Maynard for Jesus.
Also, when I first started blogging the above picture was my avatar.
Nothing says Raider football like that image!
Maynard for Jesus.
by Rich Langford on Jul 27, 2010 3:27 PM PDT up reply actions
I'm a dumbass. I mean the above picture of Tatum, not the game.
Maynard for Jesus.
by Rich Langford on Jul 27, 2010 11:12 PM PDT up reply actions
how the hell did that game work??
"We want to win. The Raider fans deserve it. The Raider players deserve it, even my organization deserves it. You have to win and you have to win with a vision for the Super Bowl. That's our passion here." - Al Davis
"You know Michael Jackson told me to Beat it and I did when I heard the Raiders drafted McClain." - noontide
RIP
What terrible news. I met him at a charity event in Oregon. He spend a lot of time raising money for Diabetes research and had his own foundation. He was a first class guy and easily one of my favorite Raiders players of all time. You have to read his books. There might be three…“They Call Me Assassin” “They still call me Assassin” and “Final Confessions of the Assassin” I would recomend all of them.
I live, breath and breed Silver and Black!
RIP, Sir Jack, and condolences to his family and the nation, who today lost one of its favorites...
you changed this game when you played, and when you left it. I never saw you as anything but an amazing football player; never dirty or evil as was said. You just played the game how it was meant to be played, perhaps better than any individual to ever walk the gridiron.
May his spirit live forever in the Raiders defensive backfield, but more importantly, in the young bodies and minds of our young studs Branch and Mitchell, and rightfully in every young defensive back to reach the professional level. He will always be in mine.
"If your only ambition in life, is to be a better person; well, that's just the best ambition you can have..." Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew
RIP Jack
You taught me to love the game of football. You were my favorite Raider as a kid, and an inspiration to the Nation.
Your third place Oakland A's.
by eastcoasta'sfan on Jul 27, 2010 6:34 PM PDT reply actions
There goes my favorite safeties
RIP Jack Tatum and Sean Taylor. Miss you two dearly
If Winning Isn't Everthing, Why Do They Keep Score? - Vince Lombardi
RIP Jack
I loved when i saw videos of u back in the day dishing out hard hits, RIP, Raider Nation!
NNNNOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!
RIP
For one of the most, if not the most, badass safety to play the game.
I'm also a Raider Fan dammit!!! RAIDER NATION!!!!
Down with Big Brother!
R.I.P. Jack Tatum
One of the people who embodied the true way the Raiders Play defense.
In Bruce We Trust
by NFLanalyzerfromhome on Jul 27, 2010 8:24 PM PDT reply actions
RIP Jack T
You made watching Da Raiders as a kid the best thing about Sundays!
by Cash Money Brothers on Jul 27, 2010 8:37 PM PDT reply actions
This Was One Bad Dude
One of my favorite Raiders of all time.Being a Trojan I hated him at Ohio State but loved him as a Raider.A kind man off the field he will be missed by all of us who remember the “Glory Days” in Oakland. R.I.P. Mr. Tatum.
R.I.P.
Much Love to a great man, a 1st class player, and the Assassin of all our hearts, may you rest in peace, as your victims rest in pieces.
Thank you for your tenacity, your ferocity, your uncommon valor for your team….
A quote by the dearly departed: “I like to think my hits bordered on felonious assault.”
Thank You for being a Raider til the End, and thanks for the memories.
I'll Get Inside Your FACE!
by VaderBDCRaider on Jul 27, 2010 11:47 PM PDT reply actions
R.I.P. Jack Tatum
I grew up a Broncos fan, but the DB’s of the Raiders were my favorites. Especially Tatum and Brown. I always loved how they played the game and the hits they made.
Make those miracles happen - Jon Keyworth
RIP Jack Tatum
My favourite all time Raider with Jim Otto and Mark Van Eeghan
One of my most prized possessions along with my signed Jim Otto jersey is a signed photo of that classic image from superbowl XI of Jack.
He was a Raider through and through and i am sure this team will do you proud
"We want to win. The Raider fans deserve it. The Raider players deserve it, even my organization deserves it. You have to win and you have to win with a vision for the Super Bowl. That's our passion here." - Al Davis
"You know Michael Jackson told me to Beat it and I did when I heard the Raiders drafted McClain." - noontide
sorry Phil Villapiano, U also on that list of my all-time favs
"We want to win. The Raider fans deserve it. The Raider players deserve it, even my organization deserves it. You have to win and you have to win with a vision for the Super Bowl. That's our passion here." - Al Davis
"You know Michael Jackson told me to Beat it and I did when I heard the Raiders drafted McClain." - noontide
R.I.P. JACK TATUM
my all time favorite hit was against earl campbell, it was like to rams hitting heads and both stumbled!
by sports with steve on Jul 28, 2010 9:16 AM PDT reply actions
RIP Brother Tatum
I’ve run into countless Raiders over the years. Jack Tatum probably holds, for me, the warmest memory. I was with my then 2 year old daughter at the Oakland Airport when i noticed him coming from the opposite way. He greeted me cordially but the tenderness that he showed my daughter is what I will always remember.
Babies know…when Tatum picked her up she gently rubbed the side of his face, looked in his eyes and felt both comfort and happiness, her smile was so warm, as was his.
As you know, #32, I’m wearing your jersey today – that’s the least i could do to honor you, one of the greatest Raiders!
The man,........ Right there!!!!!!! RIP Jack Tatum.
In the criminal justice system, the people are represented by two separate yet equally important groups: the police, who investigate crime; and the district attorneys, who prosecute the offenders. These are not their stories,.......
The Greatest Raider Ever. Period.
For some reason I’m reminded of that company that makes the figurine with Jesus playing football with two little kids. Something tells me when he heard THE Assasin was coming home, Jesus promptly announced his retirement from football. Rest in Peace, my friend.
tatum, davidson, romanowski, wisniewski...LET'S GET NASTIER!!!!
"I don't even wanna know who you have 1-2-3-4-5."
No kidding.
Upon moving to AL, I let my wife decide who she would root for. After one day at a new job full of Bama fans, she met me at the door with a hearty cry of "WAR EAGLE"
by SandMountainTiger on Jul 29, 2010 8:02 AM PDT reply actions
JACK TATUM
Back in the 70’s I named myself " ASSASSIN " after watching him play. This was while he was playing and many years before his book came out. I wrote to him years ago, telling him what his style of football meant to me. I took that attitude and it helped guide me throughout of my life. I had 2 bouts with Cancer and endless health issues since 1998. The fact that I’m still here is a testament of being fearless and having the will to win. I got that from watching Jack Tatum.
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