Today In Patriots History August 12, 1978: Darryl Stingley paralyzed by Jack Tatum

[Actual Pats Fan]

Never understood why he was not in the Pats hall of fame..

Equally atrocious the absence of Adams, Francis and Tatupu.

And moreso because they should have been celebrated and honored when they were still with us.

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

the dirtiest most disgusting play in nfl history especially considering it was a preseason game, but this is what the raiders were known for. jack tatum, phil villapiano, george atkinson, ben davidson, ted hendricks, john matuszak, lyle alzado and more, over the years, were all dirty bastards. just too many to name. that whole franchise can burn in hell.


ps....except my tommy

I wish it weren't true.

This happening in some random game between random opponents in some random context at some random venue would have been horrific.

Alas, there is nothing random about it.

Seven years later, as the Patriots made their first appearance in the Super Bowl which should have occurred nine years earlier, there was euphoria among everyone that I could see, players, coaches, local media and fans...

Ending the Orange Bowl jinx on the way to New Orleans was worth celebrating, but had I been in Raymond Berry's position, it would have been an entirely different, in fact opposite, atmosphere and approach during every second of those two weeks leading up to the game. Not only facing an historically good opponent, but with a score to settle almost a decade in the making.

But I have a very substance based, I suppose grim, objective view.

I said out loud beforehand that the Challenger would blow up. It was obvious, from the building-sized icicles hanging from the fuselage to the startling numbers about temperature in previous takeoffs to the countless, endless delays and postponements. I wished I was wrong same as wished I was wrong that starting Eason was suicide.

Countless documentaries and attention have been made and paid to the Raiders-Steelers rivalry. The Raiders-Patriots history is the most grim, bitter, unjust and sad one in sports. There will never be a proper, substantive accounting of it.

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

“It was horribly vicious,” says Lesley Visser, who covered the game for the Boston Globe. “Brutal.”

“Guys get hurt—we all know that,” says Nick Lowery, who kicked for New England that season. “But that was different because it was so raw and ruthless. You don’t see that and walk away unscathed.”

Tatum was a known cheap shot artist and dirty player for many years prior to 1978. It was no secret. There is nothing coincidental about what happened. He was enabled and empowered by everyone.

As much as they are both loathsome, Jack Tatum and Ben Dreith were products of a system that helped and encouraged them, just as Derek Chauvin was.

The fact that the Sullivans did suck to a great degree is something that I'd say half the Patriots fans, along with all the local media, never could separate from the behavior and performance of the team itself.

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

Maybe you’re Chuck Fairbanks, the head coach, hoping for a nice, easy ride before leaving for the University of Colorado at season’s end.

Actually, I believe it was the Patriots' response to this incident, including Chuck Sullivan's furious yelling "We won't pay him!!" after Darryl got hurt that was the last straw, and pushed Chuck into negotiations and planning the move.

Imagine the sideline.

Imagine being inside the Oakland Coliseum

Unfortunately, there is nothing I need to imagine about it. I was a 15 year old typical Patriots fan conditioned to expect disappointment, yet stubbornly watching and rooting for my favorite team. The disconnect and national delusion regarding the Patriots did not in any way shape or form 'begin' this century. It was established and rooted in league and media culture the instant the merger was consummated.

So, once again, imagine being on the sideline, 13 minutes and 34 seconds into the second quarter, when you think nothing of note is happening and, in truth, everything of note is happening. For those who were there, watching up close, the vision is unlikely to ever vanish the mind’s eye. Ever.

In fact, everything of note was happening. This was the Patriots' first return visit to the site where a championship and history were stolen and awarded undeservedly to the home team. The Raiders' fake championship made them fat and happy, and their typically, totally stupid whining about a Rob Lytle fumble that the officials could never see and never call (unless they were named Ben Dreith).

 

[reflexblue]

I watched that game and remember that senseless hit. I couldn't understand why Tatum would hit a defenseless player in a meaningless game, it was shocking, and that piece of **** never apologized

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

In fact, everything of note was happening. This was the Patriots' first return visit to the site where a championship and history were stolen and awarded undeservedly to the home team.

I have previously referenced other unlikely champions of that time period.

But, there's really no comparison to the consequences of the Patriots winning the Super Bowl - in 1976.

Nine (9) years later when they finally appeared, it was still extremely significant and groundbreaking.

But, for example, the NBA was nowhere near the NFL in popularity and exposure. Further, the 1975 Golden State Warriors at least had Rick Barry. Two years later, the Portland Trail Blazers at least had Bill Walton.

The Patriots had a rookie-of-the-year corner who was banged up for the playoffs, and arguably the best offensive lineman of all time in his fourth season. That's it. They were the youngest team in the league.

The Raiders, meanwhile, had a resume and national popularity that was stellar.

What happened to Darryl was not the first, but the second tragedy that occurred there, both times with the Patriots as the victims.