Remembering Darryl Stingley

Remembrances are pouring in today for Darryl Stingley. The former New England Patriots wide receiver died in Chicago yesterday at age 55. The medical examiner cited bronchial pneumonia and quadriplegia, among other factors, in his death.

Darryl Stingley was a promising first-round draft pick for the Patriots in 1973. But just five years later, his career came to an end. In an exhibition game against the Oakland Raiders, Stingley was tackled by raiders safety, Jack Tatum. Stingley's neck was broken. He was paralyzed for life.

Stingley's playing days were over but the way he lived his life after that injury won him admiration in the football world and well beyond.

For an appreciation of Darryl Stingley, WBUR's Bob Oakes turns to Richard Johnson . He's curator of the Sports Museum of New England.

The audio for this story will be available on WBUR's web site after 10 a.m. on Friday.