strange twist on the Pat Tillman story - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

moonstrucksoul · 04-26-2004, 10:29 PM

an old jersey of his, which would have normally been diced up for football cards was found in a Donruss factory. they are going to send it back to the family. that is nice of them. I would hate to think that they would try an make a profit off his death.
http://=http://sports.espn.go.com/es...rtnersite=espn

Quote:

Monday, April 26, 2004

By Darren Rovell
ESPN.com

The back room in an office in Arlington, Texas, is the place where game-used jerseys are momentarily stored until they're brought to the cutting room. The jerseys are then diced and sliced into little squares that are attached to Donruss cards.

In the past three years, more than 20,000 jerseys have left the room ... and yet Pat Tillman's Arizona Cardinals jersey, one that arrived in the room shortly after the 2000 season, never made it out.

Monday, it was found lying in the very same place where a company official put it more than three years ago.

"We cut up 4,000 jerseys every four months," said Bill Dully, president and chief operating officer of Donruss. "For a jersey to still be there for that period of time is nearly impossible."

In fact, it's almost impossible to find a Tillman game-used jersey anywhere. Dully believes no more than six of them exist.

Just one could sell at auction for at least $25,000, and if inserted into packs as a lure to collectors, the Tillman game-used cards could lead to as much as $4 million in incremental sales over a three-year period, according to Dully.

Instead, as a tribute to what Tillman stood for, company officials decided Monday to donate the jersey to his family.

Tillman, the five-year NFL veteran who died on Thursday while fighting in Afghanistan, gave up a three-year, $3.6 million contract offer to join the Army in 2002. Talk of his sacrifice has filled the airwaves since his death and some people are clamoring for Tillman memorabilia. Non-game used jerseys featuring Tillman's name and number and claiming to be authentically tailored are currently selling on eBay for more than $1,000 apiece.

The move to give away the jersey might come as a surprise since Donruss opted to purchase a Babe Ruth jersey for $264,210, then cut it up and insert it into packs last October. These cards have since sold on the secondary market for more than $1,000 each.

"Babe Ruth defined baseball, but Pat Tillman has defined the value of freedom, bravery and unselfishness," Dully said. "We were sitting around talking about how we should put this into our product and then we ultimately decided we just couldn't."

Dully called Tillman's agent, Frank Bauer, and told him of the company's intentions. Dully is waiting to hear from the family to determine what they want to do with the jersey. Donruss received one game-used jersey of every Cardinals player in 2000 in exchange for purchasing signage in Sun Devil Stadium.

Meanwhile, jersey makers have already begun to think about striking licensing deals with Tillman's family in order to legally use his name on retro jerseys. One company that makes authentic replicas of college jerseys, 29*34 Vintage Sportswear, is interested in making Tillman's No. 42 Arizona State jersey.

"He's a hero to a lot of people and they would want to wear his jersey with pride," said Steve Johnson, chief operating officer of the company, which recently obtained the rights to use the names of Len Bias, Pete Maravich and Hank Gathers on their respective college jerseys from their estates.

Peter Capolino of Mitchell & Ness, one of two companies licensed to make authentic NFL throwbacks, said he was very interested in producing Tillman's 1998 Cardinals rookie jersey.

"It's not proper to contact them yet, but when the time is right, we'd be very interested in working with the family and if they wish, steer the profits into some sort of fund or charity," Capolino said. "There's not a big rush. I think Pat Tillman jerseys will have legs for the next five years. His story is not going to go away. It's too heart-wrenching."

Bauer did not return calls seeking comment about the future potential of licensing Tillman's name.

Darren Rovell, who covers sports business for ESPN.com, can be reached at Darren.rovell@espn3.com

silent_jay · 04-26-2004, 10:48 PM

Why are they making such a big deal about this guy? I mean yes he was a pro athlete, and yes he turned down multi-million dollar contracts, but in the end he gave it all up to fight for his country, just like evey other soldier. He gave up family, just like every other soldier, he gave up friends, just like every other soldier. I watched Mr. Tillman play football, and yes I was impressed when he decided to join the Rangers, but he is no more a hero or a person who defined freedom, bravery and unselfishness than any other soldier who has given his life in this war, or any other war for that matter. When I heard Mr. Tillman had been killed in Afghanistan I felt the same sadness that I do everytime a soldier dies, wether it be Canadian, American, Afghani, or yes even the Iraqi's who are fighting for what they believe in.

God Bless all the soldiers in the world, even if people don't believe in their cause, or think it's terrorism.

Zyeox · 04-27-2004, 01:57 AM

Silent_Jay it couldn't of been said better!!

silent_jay · 04-27-2004, 06:55 AM

Thank you, I've always wondered why some soldiers get more recognition, than others, when they both paid the same price.

It really is a shame, for the families of the other soldiers who have passed away seeing the media jump all over Mr. Tillman's death like it is something special, when all the soldiers who have passed are something special. I blame only the media for making this such a big deal. They take an ex- celebrity, who hasn't granted an interview since he left football and joined the Rangers, and suddenly it's their best story and they don't care who they hurt in getting it out there. Shame on the media once again.

onetime2 · 04-27-2004, 07:18 AM

The traits exhibited by Pat Tillman are traits exemplified by many individuals in the military. The fact that he had a bit of notoriety, gave up fame and fortune to follow his convictions, joined with his brother, and opted to join the military as an enlisted man versus going in as an officer add to the story. The media's attention to him only helps to serve all those who wear the uniform and make similar sacrifices. The story inspires people. It drives the point home that there are outstanding people in our country serving in the military to whom we owe a debt of gratitude. Rather than criticize the media attention I choose to embrace it for championing the values I hold dear and respect in the millions of people who serve(d) in the military.

silent_jay · 04-27-2004, 07:48 AM

I think that people knew there are outstanding people serving in the military, who everyone owes gratitude, long before Mr. Tillman passed. And while his story is a unique one people in the forces sacrifice things daily that may not seem as inportant as millions of dollars but to these soldiers they mean the world. My main complaint with the media is they make it look like this guy has been the only one to die in the past couple of weeks. Anytime I turn on a newscast there is always a friend of his or a former professor. Not even the moment of silence after the news is over when they show the soldiers picture, they have all been about Mr. Tillman.

BigGov · 04-27-2004, 09:17 AM

Because he was famous, people knew his face. It's what the media does. For a large amount of Americans Pat Tillman was the only Army Ranger they've ever heard of.

Just because the media follows a story far too much doesn't mean all Americans believe in what they are saying. Please don't judge the American people by what our media says or does.

onetime2 · 04-27-2004, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by silent_jay
I think that people knew there are outstanding people serving in the military, who everyone owes gratitude, long before Mr. Tillman passed. And while his story is a unique one people in the forces sacrifice things daily that may not seem as inportant as millions of dollars but to these soldiers they mean the world. My main complaint with the media is they make it look like this guy has been the only one to die in the past couple of weeks. Anytime I turn on a newscast there is always a friend of his or a former professor. Not even the moment of silence after the news is over when they show the soldiers picture, they have all been about Mr. Tillman.

In the vast majority of reports that I see, when they show interviews with "ordinary people" about him they inevitably say he is representative of so many others who devote their lives to defending our country. While people know there are outstanding people serving in the military, these stories get people talking about them and recognizing them more.

He is most certainly not the only death getting attention, I have read many articles this week about those killed in and around Fallujah. He's getting the most attention because people want to hear the story and people are talking about it. That's the nature of the press. For the same reasons there were war bond tours in WWII using heroes from the various combat theatres, there will be attention paid to those "heroes" whose stories resonate with the American public from Iraq and Afghanistan.

ShadowWraith · 04-27-2004, 09:55 AM

Personally i think Tillman deserves all the attention he gets because realistically, how many soldiers would have actually given up a multi-million dollar contract to play pro football and join the army? Given the choice, i'm sure the vast majority of soldiers would not have joined the army if they had such an opportunity. Now i'm not saying this to detract from the heroism of other soldiers because i completely agree that they too have sacraficed alot. But if you think about it, many soldiers are only in the army because they have no other choice. Many U.S. soldiers come from poor or lower-class families and they join the army to put themselves through college and get a ticket to a better life. Tillman had that ticket and instead he chose to become a soldier for his country. Now that's a hero.

silent_jay · 04-27-2004, 11:22 AM

I just don't understand why this one man should get so much attention, maybe it's just me, all soldiers deserve attention for what they do, just because Mr. Tillman played football and passed up millions of dollars doesn't make him any more special than the kid who joined the army from Mississippi with no education, so he could make a better life for his family. Don't get me wrong Mr. Tillman is a hero, but no more than any other soldier who has died, or served.

Quote:

Originally posted by Jimmy4
Just because the media follows a story far too much doesn't mean all Americans believe in what they are saying. Please don't judge the American people by what our media says or does.

If I did that, well my opinion wouldn't be very high, I don't judge the American people by what the media says or does, no worries about that, plus I watch the BBC mostly.

onetime2 · 04-27-2004, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by silent_jay
I just don't understand why this one man should get so much attention, maybe it's just me, all soldiers deserve attention for what they do, just because Mr. Tillman played football and passed up millions of dollars doesn't make him any more special than the kid who joined the army from Mississippi with no education, so he could make a better life for his family. Don't get me wrong Mr. Tillman is a hero, but no more than any other soldier who has died, or served.

He's no greater than others who have died, it's just a story that resonates. People love the idea of achieving the "American Dream". This guy had more opportunity than 99.9% of the world. People dream of playing professional football. Of being millionaires. Of being "heroes".

He beat the odds in just about everything he did. He was a walk on college football player (almost none of them ever see a minute of playing time). He was drafted into the pros. He was good enough to make it through his rookie year and good enough that other teams wanted him. He stayed loyal to the team that drafted him. He was loyal to his family and even enlisted with his brother. He put his personal beliefs on a higher plane than monetary riches. He became a Ranger. He gave his life for his country.

Millions of people dream about doing just one of these things. I think the reason it resonates so well is the fact that most wouldn't have been strong enough to accomplish a single one of these things.

I guess I just don't look at it as they're singling him out. I look at it as he's representative of people with true character. Anytime character is championed, we're all better off for it. He's a role model. Perhaps no more so than the millions of others who serve honorably but he certainly has an interesting story.

moonstrucksoul · 04-27-2004, 01:32 PM

excellent point onetime2,

another reason is he was famous, and there is alot of information on him out there. there isn't much information about "the kid from Mississippi" We all feel the same way about any of our troops dying over there. But it's easier to make this an even more inspiring story than it already is.

silent_jay · 04-27-2004, 06:05 PM

very good point onetime2

silent_jay · 04-27-2004, 06:08 PM

very good point onetime2, I guess the main reason is the amount of information out there, and he did do what the majority of pro athletes would never dream of doing, giving up their riches.

cheesemoney · 05-03-2004, 11:25 PM

Well... Nightline put on a special where they were going to show the names and photos of 700 soldiers killed overseas... of course it was pulled by the owner of the news stations that owned ABC in the area--it was too "political"..

Meanwhile, they had contributed hundreds of thousands to our currrent president.

Hmmmm...

I for one think we need to be reminded of the sacrifices that our soldiers make, and I do think that people do tend to forget what is going on when they don't know anyone personally to have perished in the "war".

Remember, just cause the media is hyping Tillman's story doesn't make it any "LESS" significant either.

04-26-2004, 10:48 PM	#2 (permalink)
silent_jay Her Jay Location: Ontario for now....	Why are they making such a big deal about this guy? I mean yes he was a pro athlete, and yes he turned down multi-million dollar contracts, but in the end he gave it all up to fight for his country, just like evey other soldier. He gave up family, just like every other soldier, he gave up friends, just like every other soldier. I watched Mr. Tillman play football, and yes I was impressed when he decided to join the Rangers, but he is no more a hero or a person who defined freedom, bravery and unselfishness than any other soldier who has given his life in this war, or any other war for that matter. When I heard Mr. Tillman had been killed in Afghanistan I felt the same sadness that I do everytime a soldier dies, wether it be Canadian, American, Afghani, or yes even the Iraqi's who are fighting for what they believe in. God Bless all the soldiers in the world, even if people don't believe in their cause, or think it's terrorism. __________________ Absence makes the heart grow fonder Last edited by silent_jay; 04-26-2004 at 10:50 PM..

04-27-2004, 06:55 AM	#4 (permalink)
silent_jay Her Jay Location: Ontario for now....	Thank you, I've always wondered why some soldiers get more recognition, than others, when they both paid the same price. It really is a shame, for the families of the other soldiers who have passed away seeing the media jump all over Mr. Tillman's death like it is something special, when all the soldiers who have passed are something special. I blame only the media for making this such a big deal. They take an ex- celebrity, who hasn't granted an interview since he left football and joined the Rangers, and suddenly it's their best story and they don't care who they hurt in getting it out there. Shame on the media once again. __________________ Absence makes the heart grow fonder

04-27-2004, 07:18 AM	#5 (permalink)
onetime2 Junkie Location: NJ	The traits exhibited by Pat Tillman are traits exemplified by many individuals in the military. The fact that he had a bit of notoriety, gave up fame and fortune to follow his convictions, joined with his brother, and opted to join the military as an enlisted man versus going in as an officer add to the story. The media's attention to him only helps to serve all those who wear the uniform and make similar sacrifices. The story inspires people. It drives the point home that there are outstanding people in our country serving in the military to whom we owe a debt of gratitude. Rather than criticize the media attention I choose to embrace it for championing the values I hold dear and respect in the millions of people who serve(d) in the military. __________________ Strive to be more curious than ignorant.

04-27-2004, 07:48 AM	#6 (permalink)
silent_jay Her Jay Location: Ontario for now....	I think that people knew there are outstanding people serving in the military, who everyone owes gratitude, long before Mr. Tillman passed. And while his story is a unique one people in the forces sacrifice things daily that may not seem as inportant as millions of dollars but to these soldiers they mean the world. My main complaint with the media is they make it look like this guy has been the only one to die in the past couple of weeks. Anytime I turn on a newscast there is always a friend of his or a former professor. Not even the moment of silence after the news is over when they show the soldiers picture, they have all been about Mr. Tillman. __________________ Absence makes the heart grow fonder

04-27-2004, 09:17 AM	#7 (permalink)
BigGov WoW or Class... Location: UWW	Because he was famous, people knew his face. It's what the media does. For a large amount of Americans Pat Tillman was the only Army Ranger they've ever heard of. Just because the media follows a story far too much doesn't mean all Americans believe in what they are saying. Please don't judge the American people by what our media says or does. __________________ One day an Englishman, a Scotsman, and an Irishman walked into a pub together. They each bought a pint of Guinness. Just as they were about to enjoy their creamy beverage, three flies landed in each of their pints. The Englishman pushed his beer away in disgust. The Scotsman fished the fly out of his beer and continued drinking it, as if nothing had happened. The Irishman, too, picked the fly out of his drink but then held it out over the beer and yelled "SPIT IT OUT, SPIT IT OUT, YOU BASTARD!"

04-27-2004, 01:57 AM	#3 (permalink)
Zyeox Psycho Location: Toledo, Ohio	Silent_Jay it couldn't of been said better!!

04-27-2004, 09:55 AM	#9 (permalink)
ShadowWraith Crazy	Personally i think Tillman deserves all the attention he gets because realistically, how many soldiers would have actually given up a multi-million dollar contract to play pro football and join the army? Given the choice, i'm sure the vast majority of soldiers would not have joined the army if they had such an opportunity. Now i'm not saying this to detract from the heroism of other soldiers because i completely agree that they too have sacraficed alot. But if you think about it, many soldiers are only in the army because they have no other choice. Many U.S. soldiers come from poor or lower-class families and they join the army to put themselves through college and get a ticket to a better life. Tillman had that ticket and instead he chose to become a soldier for his country. Now that's a hero.

04-27-2004, 01:32 PM	#12 (permalink)
moonstrucksoul hovering in the distance Location: the land of milk and honey	excellent point onetime2, another reason is he was famous, and there is alot of information on him out there. there isn't much information about "the kid from Mississippi" We all feel the same way about any of our troops dying over there. But it's easier to make this an even more inspiring story than it already is. __________________ no signature required

04-27-2004, 06:05 PM	#13 (permalink)
silent_jay Her Jay Location: Ontario for now....	very good point onetime2 __________________ Absence makes the heart grow fonder

04-27-2004, 06:08 PM	#14 (permalink)
silent_jay Her Jay Location: Ontario for now....	very good point onetime2, I guess the main reason is the amount of information out there, and he did do what the majority of pro athletes would never dream of doing, giving up their riches. __________________ Absence makes the heart grow fonder

05-03-2004, 11:25 PM	#15 (permalink)
cheesemoney Loser Location: Paradise	Well... Nightline put on a special where they were going to show the names and photos of 700 soldiers killed overseas... of course it was pulled by the owner of the news stations that owned ABC in the area--it was too "political".. Meanwhile, they had contributed hundreds of thousands to our currrent president. Hmmmm... I for one think we need to be reminded of the sacrifices that our soldiers make, and I do think that people do tend to forget what is going on when they don't know anyone personally to have perished in the "war". Remember, just cause the media is hyping Tillman's story doesn't make it any "LESS" significant either.