Pete Tatman

Pete Tatman
No. 33
PositionFullback
Personal information
Born (1945-04-27) April 27, 1945
Sutherland, Nebraska, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Listed weight220 lb (100 kg)
Career information
High schoolNorth Platte (North Platte, Nebraska)
CollegeNebraska (1963–1966)
NFL draft1967: 10th round, 244th overall pick
Career history
* Offseason or practice squad member only
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Allen Kent "Pete" Tatman (born April 27, 1945) is an American former professional football fullback who played for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Nebraska, and was selected by the Vikings in the tenth round of the 1967 NFL/AFL draft.

Early life

Allen Kent Tatman was born on April 27, 1945, in Sutherland, Nebraska.[1] He played high school football at North Platte High School in North Platte, Nebraska, and was a two-year letterman as a running back, fullback, and linebacker.[1][2][3]

College career

Tatman enrolled at the University of Nebraska to play college football for the Cornhuskers. He was on the freshman team in 1963, and was a varsity letterman from 1964 to 1966 as a fullback.[4][1] He rushed 24 times for 95 yards and two touchdowns in 1964 while also playing some linebacker on defense.[5][3][6] He started at fullback for the first time midway through his junior year after Frank Solich suffered an injury.[3] Tatman finished the 1965 season with 50 rushing attempts for 207 yards and six touchdowns.[5] In September 1966, he was briefly demoted as the starting fullback after a poor blocking performance.[7] Tatman finished the 1966 season with 107 carries for 418 yards and three touchdowns.[5] He also caught four passes for 65 yards during his college career.[5] At the conclusion of his college career, Tatman played in the Senior Bowl on January 7, 1967.[6] He majored in economics and finance at Nebraska, graduating in spring 1967.[6][8]

Professional career

Minnesota Vikings (first stint)

Tatman was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the tenth round, with the 244th overall pick, of the 1967 NFL/AFL draft.[1] He signed with the team on May 5.[9] He was waived on September 7, 1967, before the Vikings' final preseason game.[2]

Detroit Lions

Tatman was claimed off waivers by the Detroit Lions.[10] He was released by the Lions on September 11, 1967, before the start of the regular season.[11]

Minnesota Vikings (second stint)

Tatman was then quickly signed to the Vikings' taxi squad.[8] After fullback Jim Lindsey broke his left hand in the season opener, Tatman was promoted to Minnesota's active roster.[12] He played in five games for the Vikings, returning one kickoff for 14 yards.[13] On October 20, 1967, Tatman was waived due to Lindsey being healthy again.[14] Tatman later re-signed with the Vikings on June 8, 1968.[15] He was released on July 28, 1968, during training camp.[16]

Omaha Mustangs

On August 8, 1968, Tatman signed with the Omaha Mustangs of the Continental Football League (COFL).[17] On August 17, it was reported that the Mustangs had sold Tatman to the Detroit Lions for $7,500.[18] However, on August 28, the Lions returned Tatman to the Mustangs as his contract could not be completed due to a technicality.[19] During the 1968 COFL season, Tatman rushed 132 times for 559 yards and seven touchdowns, leading the team in all three categories.[20][1] He also caught ten passes for 140 yards and one touchdown.[1]

In April 1969, Tatman re-signed with Omaha for the 1969 season.[21] He then spent some time on military leave with the United States Army Reserve before returning to the Mustangs.[21][22] He recorded 144 carries for 326 yards and two touchdowns, and 24 receptions for 219 yards and two touchdowns in 1969.[1]

Personal life

After football, Tatman owned a mail order drug company and later an HIV specialty care pharmacy.[3] As of 2013, he was living in Leawood, Kansas with his wife of 36 years.[3]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Pete Tatman". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
  2. 1 2 "Pete Tatman Cut By Vikings". North Platte Telegraph. Associated Press. September 7, 1967. p. 10. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Harvey, Josh (October 6, 2013). "Hometown Huskers: The Blocker". 247Sports. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
  4. ↑ "Young Huskers Await Test". Evening World-Herald. November 12, 1963. p. 20. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Pete Tatman". Sports Reference. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
  6. 1 2 3 Martinez, John (July 12, 1967). "Pro Grid Career Looms For Pete Tatman". North Platte Telegraph. p. 13. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
  7. ↑ "Wilson, Tatman Back in Lineup". Lincoln Journal Star. September 27, 1966. p. 16. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
  8. 1 2 "North Platte And Area Gridders On Pro Teams". North Platte Telegraph. October 6, 1967. p. 6. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
  9. ↑ "Pete Tatman, Gerths, Sign Viking Pacts". The Lincoln Star. Associated Press. May 5, 1967. p. 18. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
  10. ↑ Forsythe, Don (September 11, 1967). "Pete Picked Up". Lincoln Journal Star. p. 16. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
  11. ↑ "Lions Release Pete Tatman". Quad-City Times. Associated Press. September 12, 1967. p. 22. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
  12. ↑ "Eller, Winston to Start Friday". Star Tribune. September 21, 1967. p. 38. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
  13. ↑ "Pete Tatman". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
  14. ↑ "Sports Shorts". The Dickinson Press. October 20, 1967. p. 8. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
  15. ↑ "Vikings Sign 10 Veterans". Grand Forks Herald. Associated Press. June 9, 1968. p. 29. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
  16. ↑ "Vikings' Roster Hits 55". Grand Forks Herald. Associated Press. July 29, 1968. p. 13. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
  17. ↑ "Tatman, Gilmore Join Mustangs". Omaha World-Herald. August 9, 1968. p. 31. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
  18. ↑ "Pete Tatman sold". Kentucky New Era. Associated Press. August 17, 1968. p. 6. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
  19. ↑ "Mustangs Peddle Berry, But Gain Pete Tatman". Omaha World-Herald. August 29, 1968. p. 29. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
  20. ↑ "Final Mustangs Statistics". Omaha World-Herald. November 22, 1968. p. 17. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
  21. 1 2 "Pete Tatman Joins Mustangs". Omaha World-Herald. April 22, 1969. p. 19. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
  22. ↑ "Churchich, Tatman Lead In Intrasquad". Kearney Hub. Associated Press. August 11, 1969. p. 8. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
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