RIP Darryl Stingley

Darryl Stingley, 1951 - 2007

Darryl Stingley, the paralyzed football player whose injury catalyzed changes to on-field rules and league treatment of players with catastrophic injuries, died yesterday from pneumonia and heart disease aggravated by his paralysis.

Although Darryl and the man that changed his life, Raiders defensive back Jack Tatum never reconciled, Darryl became close with then-Raiders coach John Madden, who rushed to the hospital to see Darryl and then-Raider offensive lineman Gene Upshaw. Later as NFLPA director, Gene pushed for the league to improve its treatment of players former players whose careers were ended on the field, paving the way for the league to embrace and not shun former players such as Jets defensive lineman Dennis Byrd and Lions offensive lineman Mike Utley, whose careers were ended in paralysis.

Darryl was a 1973 first round pick from Purdue by the New England Patriots, was a key component to New England's offense and was in the process of finalizing a contract in the 1978 preseason that would have made him one of the highest-paid receivers in the league. Although Jack's hit was perfectly legal and there was no penalty on the play, after Darryl's injury rules were tightened to protect receivers in the open. Darryl's injury is the background context for the seasonal discussion and hand-wringing on the purpose and risks of preseason games.

After football, Darryl was executive director of player personnel for the Patriots, ran a foundation helping as-risk youth in his hometown of Chicago and wrote a book about his rediscovery of life titled Happy to Be Alive.

Darryl Stingley was 55.

Washington Post
New York Times
Boston Globe: Obit; Bob Ryan
Oakland Tribune (AP)
Wikipedia: Darryl Stingley




Darryl Stingley playing card from here.
Jack Tatum's paralyzing hit on Darryl Stingley: Ron Riesterer / Oakland Tribune via AP from NYT here.