Nearly 30 years ago, New England Patriots wide receiver Darryl Stingley lost his NFL career and all movement from his neck down, to one vicious hit from Raiders safety Jack Tatum.

After three decades of holding his head high, never blaming anyone for his infirmity and representing the NFL with pride and dignity, Darryl Stingly has died. He was only 55.

Stingley, who lost a battle with bronchial pneumonia and quadriplegia appeared at many Patriots games, after the devastating injury, which took place in an exhibition game in 1978. Each time he was announced, the applause were momentous. Tears would flow from Stingley's face, as he acknowledged the ovations with not much more than a blink and nod.

What fans loved more than a brief career of spectacular catches was Darryl Stingley's unrelenting courage and resolve. This was a man who embraced life and refused to allow his broken body to defeat his soul.

Bound for most of his adult life to a wheelchair, Darryl Stingly was rarely still. He wrote a book, worked as a consultant for the New England Patriots and established a foundation to help inner-city youth.

Today's NFL, a professional football league rife with bad people, could use more like Darryl Stingley.

May he rest in peace.