Tatum won a national title with Ohio State in 1968 and a Super Bowl with the Oakland Raiders in 1976.
Jack Tatum (32) after one of his rattling tackles as an Oakland Raider. Columbus -- Former Ohio State defensive back Jack Tatum, who helped lead the Buckeyes to the 1968 national championship as a sophomore and was the named the nation's best defender as a senior in 1970, died today at age 61.
"We have lost one of our greatest Buckeyes," OSU coach Jim Tressel said in a statement. "When you think of Ohio State defense, the first name that comes to mind is Jack Tatum. His loss touches every era of Ohio State players and fans."
Tatum was known as one of the hardest hitters in football history, and the Buckeyes currently honor the best hit of each game with the Jack Tatum Hit of the Week. He served as Ohio State's honorary captain for the USC game last season.
Tatum was drafted by Oakland in the first round of the 1971 NFL Draft and was a three-time Pro Bowler with the Raiders and part of their 1976 Super Bowl team. He was inducted into the Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame in 1981 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2004.
He had battled health issues related to diabetes in recent years, and his former teammate, John Hicks, said Tatum died at a hospital in California.
"He endured a lot of problems, and it's unfortunate he passed away so young," Hicks said. "He was a tremendous athlete and a great person."
Tatum was involved in one of the most unfortunate accidents in NFL history. During an exhibition game between the Raiders and New England Patriots on Aug. 12, 1978, Tatum and star Patriots receiver Darryl Stingley collided as they went after a pass. The impact of the collision caused spinal injuries and a broken neck to Stingley, leaving him paralyzed. He lived the rest of his life as a quadriplegic.
Stingley died at age 55 on April 5, 2007 from the after-effects of his injuries, doctors said.
"I am deeply saddened by the death of Darryl Stingley," Tatum then said in a statement released by the Raiders. "Darryl will be forever remembered for his strength and courage. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family."