I ask you to say a prayer for Mr. Stingley, his family, as well as Jack Tatum and his.
I can remember that day as if it were yesterday. I'm so saddened by his passing.
2007-04-05 14:34:41 · 16 answers · asked by Awesome Bill 7 in Sports ➔ Football (American)
I appreciate all of your well worded remembrances and perspectives. Its the mature responses that you have provided that make it seem like a sin to award a Best Answer.
Thank You All.
2007-04-08 13:13:32 · update #1
Many players in the history of pro football have been injured to the point of being rendered useless in their lives. Darryl Stingley, although more severely injured than others, was just one of many.
No, I'm not trying to diminish his suffering, or poo-poo his death, but you have to put the game of football in perspective: it is a violent, near war-like game, and everybody knows it and condones it - the fans, the sports media, the coaches, and of course the players. It's the closest we can legally come as a society to re-enacting life-or-death gladiator battles in the Coliseum of ancient Rome.
So yes, say a prayer for Darryl Stingley, but don't cry for Darryl Stingley, or feel hatred toward his "assassin," Jack Tatum. No, the blame, if any, rests with all the rest of the pro football system, and that includes the fans, coaches, sports media, the movie industry that glorifies violent contact sports, the builders of mega-million dollar stadiums, the advertisers who rake in bundles, etc. Every one of these had a hand in bringing about the demise of Darryl Stingley.
Hell, if it weren't for violent pro football games, we'd all be reduced to watching hockey now, wouldn't we??
2007-04-06 17:15:57 · answer #1 · answered by Col. Kurtz 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
R.I.P. Darryl. But I can tell you that was a clean hit anyone that says it wasn't or it was a preseason game never played football. Jack Tatum wasn't thinking about that guy being paralyzed when he was going for that hit he was just doing his job as a safety.I played at the college level and was taught you take a piece of the receivers whenever they come over the middle.Back then they didn't have the big guaranteed contracts everyone had to play hard or they would cut your ***.Sometimes first round draft picks didn't make teams.All I'm saying is I feel bad for the Stingley family and Jack Tatum should be in the hall of fame for being a great defensive back.Maybe him not contacting Stingley was his way of dealing with it?
2007-04-06 02:37:48 · answer #2 · answered by razor71901 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That was one of the cheapest shots ever and Tatum only wanted to meet with Stingley about seven years ago when he was promoting the re-issue of his two books. Stingley wisely declined that "invitation."
No matter what Tatum wrote in his first book - They Call Me Assassin - he never showed any concern or remorse for that hit which occurred in an Exhibition game. Many still say it was just an accident, since Tatum wasn't flagged for a penalty, but that was a vicious ahot on a player who couldn't protect himself.
Stingley - publicly - was an inspiration not only to those with paralysis, but to anyone with feelings about the sanctity of life. The same can't be said about Tatum.
2007-04-05 14:44:40 · answer #3 · answered by Zombie Birdhouse 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I remember the day, also. I didn't know who to feel more sorry for, Darryl or Jack. The Stingleys and Tatums are in my prayers. Thank you for bringing this up.
2007-04-06 10:16:46 · answer #4 · answered by mikeyzdream 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Damn shame! Sometimes you have to question what this thing called life is all about. Tatum was a bully (football or not) and in time paid for his deed. The irony was that it was a preseason game. It didn't even count!
2007-04-06 02:05:36 · answer #5 · answered by Yankee Dude 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I didn't know who he was until I saw him on the news today. May he rest in peace. A guy on the Chicago news said he had a really happy life, as indicated by the title of his biography - mentions a happy life. I am praying for him and his family. Peace.
2007-04-05 14:38:33 · answer #6 · answered by Sleek 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes I do, good thoughts towards the family left behind.
From a Cowboy Fan
2007-04-05 14:42:56 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wasn't born till around 20 years after the hit so no, but i can say that im VERY sad to hear this. I saw the hit on google, it looked pain full, RIP
2007-04-05 14:44:20 · answer #8 · answered by hipo8000 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, Tatum never once visited him after he paralyzed Stingley.
2007-04-05 19:35:49 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I remember him and the bad day he got hurt - 8/12/78.
2007-04-06 07:02:06 · answer #10 · answered by Jim G 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋