Published: Tuesday, July 27, 2010 2:15 PM EDT
Former Buckeye and three-time Oakland Raiders Pro Bowler Jack Tatum died today, July 27, after suffering a heart attack. He was 61.
Tatum played defensive back for the Buckeyes from 1968 to 1970. He was a two-time All-American and the national Defensive Player of the Year as a senior. Known for his tenacity and fierce style of play -- which would earn him the nickname "The Assasin" -- Tatum helped the Buckeyes to a national championship in 1968 as a sophomore and a 27-2 record over his three seasons.
The Oakland Raiders selected him in the first round of the 1971 NFL Draft. In his nine-year career, he was named to the Pro Bowl three times and was a member of the 1976 Super Bowl champion Raiders. He was inducted into the Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame in 1981 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2004.
After retiring from football in 1981, after two seasons with the Houston Oilers, Tatum battled diabetes for many years, suffering through the amputation of all five toes on his left foot, and later, his right leg.
“We have lost one of our greatest Buckeyes," said Jim Tressel in a statement Tuesday. "When you think of Ohio State defense, the first name that comes to mind is Jack Tatum. His loss touches every era of Ohio State players and fans.”
Former Buckeye and three-time Oakland Raiders Pro Bowler Jack Tatum died today, July 27, after suffering a heart attack. He was 61.
Tatum played defensive back for the Buckeyes from 1968 to 1970. He was a two-time All-American and the national Defensive Player of the Year as a senior. Known for his tenacity and fierce style of play -- which would earn him the nickname "The Assasin" -- Tatum helped the Buckeyes to a national championship in 1968 as a sophomore and a 27-2 record over his three seasons.
The Oakland Raiders selected him in the first round of the 1971 NFL Draft. In his nine-year career, he was named to the Pro Bowl three times and was a member of the 1976 Super Bowl champion Raiders. He was inducted into the Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame in 1981 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2004.
After retiring from football in 1981, after two seasons with the Houston Oilers, Tatum battled diabetes for many years, suffering through the amputation of all five toes on his left foot, and later, his right leg.
“We have lost one of our greatest Buckeyes," said Jim Tressel in a statement Tuesday. "When you think of Ohio State defense, the first name that comes to mind is Jack Tatum. His loss touches every era of Ohio State players and fans.”
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