Darryl Stingley the former New England Patriots wide reciever who suffered a broken neck after a collision during an NFL game, has died at the age of 55.

Stingley was paralyzed 29 years ago,when he was tackled by Oakland Raiders Safety Jack Tatum, in an exhibition game prior to the 1978 NFL season.

Tatum was not penalized for the hit, because according to NFL rules of that era, the hit was legal. Stingley's injuries resulted in rule changes so an unprotected player could not be hit, the way Stingley was, in the hope of further reducing the risk of injury on the field.

Tatum, who's nickname was "the assassin", and Stingley have never discussed hit that caused the injury, Stingley did eventually forgave Tatum. Stingley who was left a quadropeligic from the injuries, eventually regained limited usage of his right arm, and was able to operate his electric wheelchair on his own.

Stingley went on to return to college and get his degree, and later became and excecutive with the Patriots orginization, often visited paralyzed patients in hospitals and in 1983 authored a book "Happy to be alive", and in 1993, formed a non-profit foundation in his hometown of Chicago designed to help inner-city youth.

Stingley is survived by his wife and 3 sons.