🏈On August 12, 1978 New England Patriots wide receiver Darryl Stingley collided with Oakland Raiders defensive back Jack Tatum during a preseason game at Oakland Coliseum. Stingley’s helmet collided with Tatum’s shoulder pad, compressing his spinal cord and breaking his 4th and 5th cervical vertebrae. Although Stingley regained some movement in his right arm, he spent the rest of his life as a quadriplegic. Tatum, known as “The Assassin” for his hard hits, was not disciplined by the NFL because