oh wow!! Jack "they call me assassin" Tatum was one of the baddest men in the NFL... One of the main reasons people feared playing the Raiders back in the day... Too sad!!
This guy was wicked nasty.... He would wrap parts of a Sunday newspaper around his forearm and tape it up before a game... Then any receiver dumb enough to come across the middle got CRACKED under the chin.... lights out!
I have a make shift jersey of his from back in the 70's when I was a kid, my son used to wear it when he was a kid. Now it's hanging in the closet. That was one bad man, many idealized him. Remember they would make bets to see who could knock someone out. RIP
Used to be able to hear the CRRRACK when he laid a hit on, even over the roar of the crowd. All you heard after that was OOOOOOOHHHHHHHHH! then the commentary with a loud, OH MY, DID YOU SEE THAT??? HAHAHA. Gave new meaning to the term "BELL RINGER"
BTW, if you saw my YouTube link, watch the Earl Campbell thing again...tell me that wasn't one of the all-time greatest hits (like top 5). I am a huge Raider guy but I always loved Payton, Campbell and Riggins cuz they just tried to hurt you if you wanted to hit them (actually Marcus Allen for an angular guy did it beautifully too). The Campbell hit...out on his feet and still falls forward to score. Amazing.
RIP He played back in the days when all players were equal and all could be hit any way. Now days roughing the QB is a pussy call that does not allow the defense to play 110%. QBs put their pants on just like everyone else.
Atwaters hit on Christian Okyaye (sp) was one of the best as well.