Fansided

Every NFL team’s biggest villain ever

By Sravan Gannavarapu

Denver Broncos tight end Shannon Sharpe answers questions at Media Day on January 26, 1999, at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Allen Kee/Getty Images)
Denver Broncos tight end Shannon Sharpe answers questions at Media Day on January 26, 1999, at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Allen Kee/Getty Images) /
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Dec 23, 1972; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Pittsburgh Steelers running back John Fuqua (33) is hit by Oakland Raiders defensive back Jack Tatum (31) as the ball is deflected after a pass from Terry Bradshaw (not pictured) and caught by Franco Harris (not pictured) who scored the winning touchdown in the 1972 AFC Divisional Playoff Game against the Oakland Raiders at Three Rivers Stadium. The Steelers defeated the Raiders 13-7. The catch was deemed the “Immaculate Reception” when Harris (not pictured) caught a deflected pass with 5 seconds left in the game to give the Steelers the victory. Mandatory Credit: Dick Raphael-USA TODAY Sports Images
Dec 23, 1972; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Pittsburgh Steelers running back John Fuqua (33) is hit by Oakland Raiders defensive back Jack Tatum (31) as the ball is deflected after a pass from Terry Bradshaw (not pictured) and caught by Franco Harris (not pictured) who scored the winning touchdown in the 1972 AFC Divisional Playoff Game against the Oakland Raiders at Three Rivers Stadium. The Steelers defeated the Raiders 13-7. The catch was deemed the “Immaculate Reception” when Harris (not pictured) caught a deflected pass with 5 seconds left in the game to give the Steelers the victory. Mandatory Credit: Dick Raphael-USA TODAY Sports Images /

Oakland/LA/Las Vegas Raiders: S Jack Tatum

Woof. He wasn’t called “The Assassin” for nothing. Furthermore, no player can deliver a vicious hit on Earl Campbell and have Campbell even be afraid of getting hit like that again. But Jack Tatum knew what he was doing and was not afraid to dish a blow that could make his opponents weary of entering his territory yet again. The Super Bowl hit against the Vikings only reaffirmed that.

Unfortunately, the hit on Darryl Stingley of the Patriots is often the first thing that comes to mind when asked about the Jack Tatum experience from opposing players. It was sad, but Tatum never set out to ruin someone’s career or life. It was an unfortunate accident; his head coach, the late John Madden, cosigned it. The Raiders were villains in those days, and Tatum was among them. He, like many hard hitters, deserves more credit for his accomplishments.

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