Jack Tatum

John David Tatum (November 18, 1948 – July 27, 2010) was an American football safety who played 10 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" because of his playing style. Tatum 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. He is also known for a hit he made against New England Patriots wide receiver Darryl Stingley in a 1978 preseason game that paralyzed Stingley from the chest down.

Final Confessions of NFL Assassin Jack Tatum by Jack Tatum with Bill Kushner (1996)

 * I was paid to be a warhead, and anyone who came near me should get knocked into Hell!


 * I don't care who gets in my way--my mother, my grandmother, my daughter: I'll knock each and every one of them on their ass.


 * Call me a queer. I'd rather hit than make love, money, or friends.


 * It could have happened to anybody. People are always saying, 'He didn't apologize.' I don't think I did anything wrong that I need to apologize for. It was a clean hit.
 * about the Darryl Stingley hit.