Hanxter

Former NFL defensive back Pat Tillman was killed in action while serving as an Army Ranger in Afghanistan, ABCNEWS reported Friday.

He was 27.

Tillman played four seasons for the NFL's Arizona Cardinals as a safety after starring at Arizona State University.

In May of 2002, Pat announced his intentions to join the Army, turning down a $3.6 million contract offer in the process.

Both he and his brother Kevin, a former minor league baseball prospect in the Cleveland Indians organization, committed to three-year military terms, landing spots with the elite U.S. Army Rangers. The two served in the Middle East as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

link

clifclav

Godspeed to a good young man who followed his convictions. Would that there were more like him.

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DDDDave

Wow.

That is really too bad.

Good Link, thanks.

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Mondak

When I read this on Yahoo this morning, I had chills. I really don't know what to say. I just hope it is worth it and that we are doing right.

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JoeyB

One of the most amazing sacrifices I've ever heard of.

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bond007

very sad.

silent_jay

very sad indeed, for all the soldiers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice

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moonstrucksoul

he should be honored, but no more than any soldier who has died in combat . very sad.

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Hanxter

true - being deeply moved by the events of 9/11 he chose this as his calling saying it was a personal issue and not one for the media to jump on

Peetster

From the perspective of the soldier, it always is.

forseti-6

I read his story. I never heard of him before as an NFL player, but as a fellow soldier and fellow American, I can say he is a true hero. God Bless him and his family.

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:::OshnSoul:::

My dad's a photographer and he took Tillman's picture. The Sargeant came into to get it scanned for the news. If you see Tillman in his uniform w/ a grey background and an American Flag, that's the pic he took.

Incredible. That guy I give props to- giving up his career, money, being from his family...and giving up his life. Bless his soul.

present_future

I read a quote the other day in the newspaper, "Freedom is far more sweeter after you have fought for it." I am sure Tillman felt this way and was willing to sacrifice himself for our safety.

Thanks to a truly courageous man.

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kutulu

I live in Phoenix and it's been strange here. I turned on the radio to the Dan Bickley show (a show on a sports talk radio channel) and they had a caller talking about how it was a sad day for AZ. Immediately I knew that he had been killed.

Every AM talk radio station has been talking about it all day today. We're building a new stadium for the Cardinals and many people want to name it after him. From the way he lived and the way he refused to speak to the press about his decision to join the Army, I don't think it would be the right thing to do. He didn't do it for fame or to be put on a pedestal. IMO, the best thing they could do is make a statue with a plaque describing him at the entrance to the new stadium and then have an annual scholarship program for an athlete that was a great student, but not a good enough athlete to get an athletic scholarship.

He walked onto the ASU football team and the coach was going to red shirt him because he thought he had potential but he wasn't talented enough to make the team full time. He told the coach: "do what you want, but in 4 years I'm out of here" He graduated in 3.5 years with a 3.85 GPA. He went on to get drafted, but it was in the much later rounds.

I'll never forgive Simeon Rice for what he said about him after he was drafted.

Ace_O_Spades

Wow, that takes guts... true class... wow

it chills the spine... makes the statistics seem that much more REAL you know?

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Hanxter

if they make a movie about it, and i just know they will, i'm gonna throw up...
it's not what he was about

grayman

In a country where we use the term hero way too much, Pat Tillman was a true hero. Not to disrespect any of the men and women of our armed forces, because anyone who is willing to fight and die for our country deserves everyone's respect, but many people join up in order to get school paid for. Tillman walked away from a life that many people would do anything to have just so he could fight for his country. His only motivation was to fight for a cause he believed in, truly noble. If I remember correctly, didn't he drive to another state to enlist in order to avoid being recognized and getting publicity for it?

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crewsor

Now this guy is a true hero. It pisses me off that much more when I see todays players whining about not wanting to play for this team, or not wanting to be drafted by some shitty team. They should take a page from this dudes book.

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kutulu

It would be very disrespectfull to him to make a movie about it.

jobu

he fought and died for what he believed in. I glad we have people like him protecting our borders.

AL9045

Was he the guy who ran onto the field with the American Flag following the 9/11 delays?

He IS the man.

rbox

I believe quite a few players did that, only one I remember clearly is a GreenBay Packers Linebacker. Forgot the name though, but wasn't him.

Anyways, I don't think this guy would like a big deal made over this like the media is. Many other of his fellow soldiers have died as well, and it just seems to me that he wouldn't want all the attention from his previous actions. The other soldiers that die rarely even get their names mentioned unless its a local area.

And of the two people I know in Iraq now, and one coming back, none of them joined to get school paid for. The one coming back that was in iraq for a whole year quit Purdue to join the Army after 9/11, so I dont think you should be saying most of them join just to get school paid for.

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my brother's business is now getting a flood of calls in from AP all over the US and Canada for the photo, since all of the other ones of him were all snapshots or sports-related.
http://customwire.ap.org/dynamic/sto...MPLATE=DEFAULT

What a sad, devestating way to get publicity. It's incredible.

3dwerner

the ultimate hero. Gave up 3 million to go die in a war? MIllionaires dont fight wars they send people to fight in them.
If the NFL doesnt do anything for him they are a joke.
Oh Yeah ELI MANNING is a homo.

440sixpack

Well said.

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Hrothgar

Sad, very sad. I knew he went over but I didn't realize he was still there.

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jay-g

He showed himself and people that, life is more than fame and money. I honor him for his patriotism and courage.

goddfather40

Hero, inspiration, and role model all describe Pat Tillman. As some have alluded to in this thread, the best testimony to his convictions was the fact that he did not grant any interviews after he enlisted.

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Jesus Malverde

I don't think he would have wanted all this attention. He seemed to be very humble and grounded. He is a real life hero.

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yankeefatboy

This MAN was and will always be a true hero. He did what he felt he had to do and not what everyone thought he should do. Right or wrong, the cause was more important than the fame. His family should be proud.