Darryl Stingley dead at 55...

[Seneschal2]

Darryl Stingley

Former pro football wide receiver Darryl Stingley, a quadriplegic who became a symbol of the game's violence, died early this morning at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office. He was 55.

The cause of death was not immediately available. An autopsy will be performed later today.

Stingley's life changed forever on Aug. 12, 1978 in a preseason game against the Oakland Raiders. A wide receiver for the New England Patriots, Stingley was the victim of a vicious but legal hit by Oakland Raiders defensive back Jack Tatum. The blow broke Stingley's neck and leaving him a quadriplegic for life.

Stingley grew up in Chicago and was a star player at John Marshall High School, where he was a standout running back. He received a scholarship to Purdue University, where he was converted to wide receiver. He was a first-round draft pick of the Patriots in 1973.

In 1983, he wrote "Happy to Be Alive," a memoir of his life and injury.

He continued to call Chicago home.

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Those who saw him play will agree he was quite a talent. The career-ending injury will never be forgotten.

 

[carolinatony]

Sad news to hear

 

[Willie55]

R.I.P. Darryl.

 

[Clonamery]

He was a graceful man on the field and even more off the field.

Peace be with you.

 

[italian pat patriot]

riposa in pace

 

[DarrylS]

RIP Darryl.. very sad, my wife used to be friends of friends with him.. a very sad day.. said all along his number should be in the rafters.

 

[Crowpointer]

He's up there running post patterns again right now. RIP Darryl

 

[PatsFanSince74]

What sad news to begin the day. I'll never forget the Tatum hit and I felt then and feel now like it happened to a member of my own family. RIP.

 

[Ghost of Ben Dreith]

I don't think this is neccessarily a sad thing at all. I believe death is a beginning and not just an end. In Darryl's case I also believe it was a release from a body that became a prison.

I hope Jack Tatum also finds some true peace about what happened.

 

[PatsFanInVa]

What Clona said. Maybe I missed some of the coverage, but I don't believe he ever expressed blame against Tatum once... that's keeping perspective under some pretty changed circumstances.

Yeah, if there's a heaven, he's up there running routes...

PFnV

 

[newton_tom_cat]

Darryl Stingley

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Those who saw him play will agree he was quite a talent. The career-ending injury will never be forgotten.

makes us realize there is a consequence to the violence we see in football and we need to understand there are human beings inside the uniforms and helmets

 

[Sean Pa Patriot]

Rest Well Darryl, you will be missed..

 

[chunkypony]

Wow. RIP Darryl Stingley. I just read his memoir a month ago, and he was one of the strongest individuals I have ever heard of. He had a real drive and determination. I agree with the poster who said his body became a prison; I hope he finds peace and solitude in heaven.

As for Jack Tatum, I hope he can live with the fact that he NEVER has felt remorse for that hit.

 

[Pats726]

Very very sad!!! That is so so sad!!! I have to say that I agree with all of what amny have said about him..not only was he a great talent..but as an individual so so strong!! Just saddens my day..in many ways..Saw him play..saw and heard the hit..and???? Way too young...!!!

 

[NoCal Patriot]

This is a very sad day for All Pats Fans. Darryl Stingley was a fine player and even a better guy.What happened to Him on the field in Oakland was criminal and this morning Jack Tatum should be charged with murder.Jack Tatum is now suffering through his own problems but it will never be enough for what He did to Darryl Stingley. Rest In Peace Darryl, It's now time for You to run a "Double Reverse" for the Angels .

 

[Fanfrom1960]

As for Jack Tatum, I hope he can live with the fact that he NEVER has felt remorse for that hit.

Like Tony Conigliaro's very young passing, I think we can safely assume Stingley's early death was the result of his sports injury. Tatum's hit, in an exhibition game, on an uncatchable ball, after the ball was even gone, is the dirtiest cheap shot ever. It certainly had the worst result.

 

[PatsRI]

A sad day. FYI Grogan is going to be on The Dale and Holley Show today to talk about Darryl.

 

[denverpatsfan]

Very, very sad. I never saw him play, but had the utmost respect for the guy.

Much too young to leave us.

 

[pats1]

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/

April 05, 2007
Grogan reflects

Former Patriots quarterback Steve Grogan shared his memories of the late Darryl Stingley this morning.

“Darryl was a wonderful guy, a fun guy to be around, a real joy to have as a teammate,” Grogan said. “When I came up as a rookie [in 1975], he was a veteran wide receiver and one of the leaders of the team. He set the tone at practice and was someone you enjoyed being around. To have the injury be so serious, in ’78, it was devastating to all of us.”

Grogan remembers the Sullivan family keeping Stingley on the team’s payroll after the injury, which he felt was a classy gesture by the club’s owners. He last saw Stingley in the 1980s, when the Patriots were playing the Packers in Milwaukee.

Grogan recalled the injury that left Stingley paralyzed in the 1978 preseason game against the Raiders.

“Like any other preseason game, you were planning on getting a quarter or two in and getting out,” he said. “We had a slant pattern called to Darryl, someone flashed early, I double-pumped and threw the ball by him, high and over his head. He and Jack Tatum collided. I had mentioned this before, seeing so many collisions like that when both people got up and shook it off and came back to huddle. Darryl didn’t get up.”

Summing up his memories of Stingley, Grogan said he was a "great teammate."

Posted By: mreiss | Time: 10:05:16 AM

 

[RayClay]

Rest in Peace, Darryl.