Jack Tatum, R.I.P.
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Jack Tatum, “The Assassin”, the All-Pro safety for the Oakland Raiders throughot the ’70s, died of a heart attack Tuesday in Oakland; he was 61. One of the hardest hitting and most feared players ever, Tatum holds the record for the longest fumble return in NFL history - 104 yards for a touchdown. |
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Gene Upshaw R.I.P.
NFL.com reports the sad news that Gene Upshaw has died at 63 from complications from pancreatic cancer.
Gene is the only player in NFL history to play in three Super Bowls in three different decades – in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. He played with the Oakland and Los Angeles Raiders from 1967 until 1981, and was a seven-time Pro Bowl selection and an 11-time All-Pro. After retiring from football, in 1983, he become executive director of the players’ association, NFLPA, a position he held until his death.
He was a major reason that I became a fan of the Raiders … at Guard, he was one of the toughest football players ever, his combination play with Art Shell was beautiful to watch.