"Now You Vote Me In? I Don't Believe It!"
Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images Should Jack Tatum be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame?
Yes
No
Jack Tatum came to The Ohio State University as a pure; but raw talent. He was an athlete with tremendous ability and upside. Coach Woody Hayes recruited him as a running back but he proved to be much too valuable for that. Lou Holtz, serving as a defensive coach recognized Jack Tatum was naturally "nasty". He played with a vigor and ferocity that was unmatched. No one could contain his exuberance for bone-shattering mayhem. He was an opposing player's nightmare. There was not a tight-end, running back, or wide receiver he could not bring down. This is what he became on the football field. This is what he was taught and instructed to become. We cheer and applaud with glee and admiration as our beloved warriors nearly decapitate the opposing player. It is what we come to see. Are we any better than the fans in the Roman Coliseo? I think not. We're just as brutal and barbaric as they.
I grew up in Columbus, Ohio and I remember Jack Tatum and another player from the Buckeyes (I don't even remember who the other player was) coming to my Everett Jr. High School after their National Championship of 1968. All eyes were on Jack. Every question from every student in the school went to Jack. He was our hero! Jack could "bring the pain"! We wanted to be just like Jack. "Jack, remember when you ran down Ron Johnson from Michigan and body-slammed to the turf!" said one kid. Another kid said: "Remember when you shut Leroy Keyes down at Purdue......." "Hey, is O.J. really that good?" a cute little girl with pigtails asked. We were drawn to Jack Tatum like a magnet. That was one of the best days of the whole school year. I will never forget that very special day.
Jack certainly had a tremendous college career at Ohio State. He was a consensus All-American and in the balloting for the Heisman Trophy. He went on to a stellar pro career with the Raiders. He became the face of the Raiders. When you think of the Raiders you immediately think of Jack Tatum. He struck fear in the hearts of opponents. What receiver would dare go across the middle against Jack Tatum? it didn't happen often. He knocked the helmet off of Sammy White in a game against the Minnesota Vikings. I thought he was dead. I saw him knock two tight ends out of a single game (one of which was John Mackey) and the third stringer refused to go in. Some said he told the coach to go in if he wanted it that bad! Jack Tatum was no joke. He played the game the way we want to see it. I'm not saying it is right or wrong; but it is the way American audiences want to see the game played. That's what we pack stadiums to see.
We cannot talk about Jack without talking about the "immaculate reception". Many say if he wasn't trying to kill Frenchy Fuqua it would have never happened. That stupid ricochet into Franco Harris's hands haunts Raider fans to this very day. Then there's "the hit"; a most unfortunate occurrence between Tatum and Darryl Stingley. It was clearly not a dirty play. It was the way Tatum played the game. He gave his all on each and every play. It's the only way he knew to play. There was no "letup" in Jack Tatum.
I feel sad that Jack Tatum is not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton. He should have been enshrined years ago. I think a lot of that had to do with consideration for the Stingley family. One can understand that to a point but let's be for real. Football is a brutal, violent sport. Tragedy can occur at any point in a game. Football players are modern day gladiators and we are the fanatics that give a thumbs up or down.
I am sure that at some point and time the Hall of Fame will posthumously enshrine Jack Tatum into Canton. I don't know how much that will mean to the Tatum family and friends but it will certainly mean something to his many fans. Jack played the game the way we "barbarians" like it. He played it rough and with reckless abandon. He gave blood and flesh on each and every play. I can only imagine Jack saying: "Now you vote me in? I Don't Believe It!" But Jack wouldn't say it nearly that nicely.
Jesse Jackson definitely needs to shut up. He certainly doesn't understand the total dynamics surrounding LeBron James and his move to Miami. I don't either but I must go on what LeBron has told us. He is seeking the holy grail, NBA Championship rings. He wants them immediately and in the future. All I can say is that he is now old enough for his "wants" not to hurt him.
Dan Gilbert is no more a racist than Jesse Jackson or myself. I am a 56 year old African-American born and raised in Ohio. The O-H-10 (O-H-Ten), home of the Real men. LeBron let us down. He disappointed us. I can certainly understand Dan Gilbert's ire. It wasn't what LeBron did, it was how he did it. He didn't for one minute consider the feelings of his loyal fans. Many of these fans have been pulling for him since his middle school days. He was totally insensitive to how we felt. It was all about him and his agenda to win championship rings (at least that is what he tells us).
I believe Jesse Jackson makes his home in Chicago so he doesn't quite understand the pain of Ohio sports fans. He definitely needs to shut up. He didn't care when Warfield was traded to Miami; when Elway made his drive; when Byner had the fumble; or when Jordan hit the shot; when Mr. Modell moved our beloved Purple Browns to Cleveland and then smacked us in the face with a SuperBowl Title. Mr. Jesse doesn't know anything about that or doesn't care. We Cleveland fans are loyalists. We're true and we don't tolerate anything else. Either you are with us or you're against us. We stand together and I support Mr.Gilbert in his disdain for what LeBron did.
However, I must admit that we created the monster. We've catered to him and told him how great he was. We deified a man and made him a little god. Now we see the results of trivial worship of a man. These sports icons are thinking too much of themselves and very little about you and I. Michael Jordan demonstrated that at his Hall of Fame induction. Who did he think he was? That man has achieved all that he wanted to achieve and still has bitterness in his heart and feels he was mistreated and maligned along the way. Get over it Michael. Talk to the guy that lost his legs and was never able to play ball. You're maybe the greatest player to ever play the game. Do we still owe you something?
Also Jesse, may I tell you this? High-priced superstar athletes are indeed slaves. If you are in a position of servitude you are a servant or slave. When Gatorade, Coke, and Haines calls they'd better be there. Your work/life schedule is based on the needs of the business. We are all in bondage. All of us have to answer to someone. Whether it's our employees, employers, or clients. We all answer!
LeBron is a young man that has made a mistake. For some reason NBA stars don't feel their careers are complete without winning rings. There are 30 teams and 360 players in the league. Only 12-13 rings go to players each year. Not everyone is going to get one. But that is not what validates your career. Example: Adam Morrison, Tom LaGarde, Derrick Dickey, Jackie Robinson, Lonnie Shelton, Earl Cureton, Mike Riordan, Clint Richardson, and Chirs Jent have NBA Championship rings. Not trying to offend them; but they are not great players. Who even knows who they are? They were great contributors to their respective teams. They have rings but that doesn't make them iconic figures in the NBA. You attain greatness when you give 110 percent and leave it all on the floor. Charles Barkley, Karl Malone, John Stockton, Nate Thurmond, Jerry Sloan, Norm Van Lier, George Gervin, etc. don't have rings but they will always be remembered and respected by players, coaches, owners, and fans.
LeBron may or may not win championships. He is damned if he does and damned if he doesn't. "Look at that. All that talent on one team. They should have won." Or "Look at that. All that talent on one team and they still couldn't do it." I don't wish bad on LeBron but any championship he wins will pale in comparison to a championship in his home of Ohio. His best opportunity for success and iconic greatness lie along the banks of the Cuyahoga. He gave that up when he went to Miami. He lost in this deal. He lost the admiration, adoration, and respect of a tremendous fan base. His name, his brand is tarnished. I don't know if he can ever redeem it.
I personally hope he never wins an NBA title at least until he does right by the fans of Cleveland. Some say he doesn't owe Cleveland anything but I don't believe he thinks that. Otherwise, he would not have left in the manner he left. You could see the uneasiness in the exit interview with Jim Gray. He's not happy about that decision. At least I don't think so. In the mean time; Jesse Jackson, please shut up! You don't have a clue.