April 23, 200422 yr Report: Former NFL S Tillman dies in action in Afghanistan April 23, 2004 ATLANTA (Ticker) - Former NFL free safety Pat Tillman, who joined the U.S. military as a result of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, reportedly was killed in action Thursday. According to CNN, Tillman, 27, was on a mission with Army Special Operations, which was responsible for mopping up the remnants of Taliban and Al-Qaeda forces in Afghanistan. Tillman's unit worked in rugged circumstances, often fending off ambushes and avoiding road-side bombings, CNN said. The Pentagon was not expected to make an official announcement until at least Saturday, the report added. Tillman gave up a three-year, $3.6 million contract to serve his country. The 5-11, 202-pounder from Arizona State spent his four NFL seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, recording a franchise-best 155 tackles in 2000.
April 23, 200422 yr I salute him for seving his country in a time of need.This guy is a real hero just like all other veterans who serve in hostile time unlike those overpaid athelete who all they do is whine.
April 23, 200422 yr Im sure everyone remembers the story about the NFL player who walked away from a 3.6 million dollar contract to join the Army Rangers in the wake of the 9/11 tradegy. Unfortunately, he was killed in Afganistan today when his platoon was attacked. While all of our men and women put forth a tremendous sacrafice when they join the military. This man sacraficed a lifestyle that most of Americans dream about having; millions of dollars in the bank, the adulation of being an NFL player, and a bright future after his NFL career (he graduated summa cun laude from Arizona St with a degree in Marketing) He gave this all up for his love of his country and his belief that he could better give of himself defending us and our way of life in what he felt was a time of need rather than having us cheer for him on the field. This was a great human being and we should all take a moment to honor him and really appreciate what he did for all of us and why. May God Rest His Soul
April 23, 200422 yr Im sure everyone remembers the story about the NFL player who walked away from a 3.6 million dollar contract to join the Army Rangers in the wake of the 9/11 tradegy. Unfortunately, he was killed in Afganistan today when his platoon was attacked. While all of our men and women put forth a tremendous sacrafice when they join the military. This man sacraficed a lifestyle that most of Americans dream about having; millions of dollars in the bank, the adulation of being an NFL player, and a bright future after his NFL career (he graduated summa cun laude from Arizona St with a degree in Marketing) He gave this all up for his love of his country and his belief that he could better give of himself defending us and our way of life in what he felt was a time of need rather than having us cheer for him on the field. This was a great human being and we should all take a moment to honor him and really appreciate what he did for all of us and why. May God Rest His Soul :usaflag An example of a true American patriot.
April 23, 200422 yr it sucks so bad when ANY soldier dies. the fact that this guy gave up all that cash to serve his country is just as patriotic as it gets RIP Pat Tillman
April 23, 200422 yr Author I know this isnt really important now, but he was one hell of a player. He was one of the hardest hitters in football and just seemed to be everywhere the ball was. For a safety to set a team record for tackles, thats pretty good. And he was taken with one of the last picks in the draft the year he was drafted.
April 23, 200422 yr He was an amazing player, but he was an even better man. Anyone who is willing to give that up and pay the ultimate sacrafice is the best. It is a shame that this happened. I salute him, and my prayers go out to his family. A TRUE American hero. PS...I can see a movie coming out this. Maybe it can inspire others to make the same sacrafice he made.
April 23, 200422 yr I read in another article that he turned down a 9 mil, 5 year offer from the Rams out of loyalty to the Arizona Cardinals, who gave him 3.6 mil, 3 years. Any guy who can turn down over 5 mil out of loyalty to the Cardinals (the Cardinals!) is obvioulsy a spectacular human being. From there it was probably easy to give up the remaining 3 and a half mil out of loyalty to his country. Still, an amazing thing to do. It's very sad that he died, but I'm happy just to know that there are people like this.
April 23, 200422 yr I remember hearing a while back that a couple of football players were giving up the NFL in order to join the military. I wonder if he was one of them. Either way, very brave man, R.I.P.
April 23, 200422 yr Wow this is really awful. I remember when this story came out in 2001 I thought he was such a hero, and when I heard the news in 4th period today I was speechless.
April 23, 200422 yr Anyone who is in the military is a hero in my view. Not to put this down but many soldiers died for love of their country too and aren't exactly memorialized except in the hearts of their loved ones. Anyway Rest In Peace, you were cut down in your tour of duty but will always be remembered as the football player who walked away from the glamour of the sport and joined the military. :angel
April 23, 200422 yr This guy was the definition of a patriot. He put his country before himself and that is truly admirable. I have a feeling some production company is trying to buy the movie rights to this right now.
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