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Darryl Stingley dies

CHICAGO (AP) — Former New England Patriots receiver Darryl Stingley, who was paralyzed after a hard hit during an NFL exhibition game nearly 30 years ago, has died. He was 55.

Stingley was pronounced dead at Northwestern Memorial Hospital Thursday morning after he was found unresponsive in his home, according to Tony Brucci an investigator with the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

An autopsy was scheduled for Thursday. His cause of death was not immediately available.

Stingley played football until August 12, 1978, when the then 26-year-old receiver went up for a pass during an exhibition game and was hit hard from behind by Oakland Raiders safety Jack Tatum. The hit broke his neck and left Stingley a quadriplegic for life.

Stingley was born and raised in Chicago. He was a star running back at John Marshall High School. He attended Purdue on a football scholarship.

In 1973, he was a first-round draft pick of the Patriots, owned by Robert Kraft.

“On behalf of the Kraft family and the entire Patriots organization, we’re deeply saddened by news of Darryl Stingley’s death, and our thoughts and prayers are with the Stingley family at this time,” said team spokesman Stacey James.

Stingley was the Patriots first-round draft choice in 1973. He had 110 receptions for 1,1883 yards and 14 touchdowns in five seasons. He also had 28 runs for 244 yards and two touchdowns.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 9:12 AM | Permalink | Comments 4