Consequently, why is Pat Tillman important? Pat Tillman was the NFL's greatest American because when he believed his superiors, his Commander-in-Chief, were no longer serving the interests of the country, he encouraged his fellow soldiers to exercise their right to vote that president out of office. That is faith in democracy.
Who is Pat Tillman and why does he matter?
No matter how much he intended to stay under the radar, Tillman became a living, breathing symbol of honor, sacrifice, and the symbiotic relationship between the military and the NFL. Tillman enlisted expecting to join the fight against Al Qaeda and the effort to bring Osama bin Laden to justice. Instead, he was sent to Iraq.
How did Pat Tillman join the military?
In May 2002, eight months after the September 11 attacks, Tillman turned down a three-year, $3.6-million offer from the Cardinals to enlist in the U.S. Army with his brother Kevin. For three months Pat and Kevin Tillman made their way through basic training, and late in 2002, both completed the Ranger Indoctrination Program.
Is Pat Tillman in the Hall of Fame?
In addition to his Purple Heart and Silver Star medals from the military, Tillman's numbers for the ASU Sun Devils and the Arizona Cardinals were retired in his honor. In May 2010, he was chosen to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
How much did Pat Tillman make with the Cardinals?
Pat Tillman of the Arizona Cardinals during an NFL football game in Tempe, Ariz., on Dec. 9, 2001. What set Tillman apart was what he left behind: a $3.6 million contract with the Arizona Cardinals.
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Why is Pat Tillman a hero?
Tillman decided to serve the country he loved in a time where people such as him were needed the most. Following the 2001 season, Tillman turned down $3.6 million from the Cardinals to enlist in the U.S. Army, foregoing an easy life and every other dream he had to fulfill a patriotic duty.
What impact did Pat Tillman have?
He led ASU to the 1997 Rose Bowl after an undefeated season, earned three consecutive selections to the Pac-10 All-Academic Football Team, a 1st team Academic All-American honor, as well as the NCAA's Post-Graduate Scholarship for academic and athletic excellence. Between games, Pat earned a B.S.
What NFL player left the Army?
Pat Tillman, who gave up his pro football career to enlist in the U.S. Army after the terrorist attacks of September 11, is killed by friendly fire while serving in Afghanistan on April 22, 2004.
How good was Pat Tillman in the NFL?
Tillman, who moved from linebacker to strong safety when he joined the NFL, only played four years with the Arizona Cardinals. In those four years, according to ESPN.com, he amassed 344 tackles (245 solo), 2.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and three interceptions.
How many times was Pat Tillman shot?
Not only was Tillman shot three times in the head, but he was also shot at close range and there was no evidence of any enemy fire in the area — unlike the Army's initial report of the incident.
Are the Army football players in the Army?
Andre Carter IILinebackerTyhier TylerQuarterbackBraheam MurphyRunning backBryson DailyQuarterbackTyrell RobinsonRunning backCade BallardQuarterbackArmy Black Knights football/Players
What NFL players enlisted after 911?
Pat TillmanPat Tillman, in full Patrick Daniel Tillman, (born November 6, 1976, San Jose, California, U.S.—died April 22, 2004, near Sperah, Afghanistan), American football player who left a lucrative National Football League (NFL) career playing for the Arizona Cardinals to enlist in the U.S. Army after the terrorist attacks of ...
Do Army football players get paid?
To explain, student athletes who attend a service academy are actually active-duty members of the Armed Forces – and are compensated just as any gunnery sergeant serving in Afghanistan or Admiral at the Pentagon would be paid on a monthly basis.
Can you go to the NFL from Navy?
In recent years, there have been a few big names that have been drafted by NFL teams, including Bryce Fisher and Chad Hennings from the Air Force, but by far the standout was the Dallas Cowboys picking Roger Staubach from Navy.
Is Pat Tillman a Hall of Famer?
Pat Tillman (2010) - Hall of Fame - National Football Foundation.
How much money did Pat Tillman give up?
Pat Tillman was "the Arizona Cardinals defensive back who famously volunteered for the Army in the spring after 9/11, giving up a $3.6 million N.F.L.
What rank was Pat Tillman?
Nineteen NFL players were killed in World War II. PHOENIX — Pat Tillman, a former NFL player killed while serving as an Army Ranger in Afghanistan, was promoted posthumously from specialist to corporal, an Army spokeswoman said Thursday.
How many NFL players were in the military?
Over 1,000 NFL players have served in the Armed Forces. One thousand—the equivalent to every NFL player on each team who will take the field this Sunday. During World War II, 995 NFL athletes joined the ranks of our military and served our country.
What was Pat Tillman's rank?
He was the rank of Specialist, or E-4, the fourth-lowest pay-grade in the military. The year of his death, Tillman's base pay was just over $1,600 a month, before taxes.
How do you become a Tillman Scholar?
Proof of full-time student status and a minimum 3.0 GPA earned. Engagement with the Tillman Scholar community. Documented participation in service. Accountability for use of scholarship funds.
Is Pat Tillman in the Hall of Fame?
Pat Tillman (2010) - Hall of Fame - National Football Foundation.
Who Was Pat Tillman?
In 2002, Pat Tillman left a successful football career with the Arizona Cardinals to join the U.S. Army. He was killed in Afghanistan in 2004. The official story was that he was shot by enemy forces during an ambush, but it was later revealed that he may have been killed by friendly fire, and that Army commanders and members of the Bush administration covered up the truth of what had happened.
How did Tillman die?
On April 22, 2004, Tillman was killed in action while in a canyon in eastern Afghanistan. The first reports indicated that he was shot during a clash with enemy forces during an ambush. Many questions remained unanswered about Tillman's death at the time, but a week later this account of his death became recognized as the official story, and General Stanley McChrystal approved for the soldier's Silver Star nomination. Tillman was honored in a nationally televised memorial service on May 3, 2004, in which Senator John McCain delivered the eulogy.
What was the ASU player of the year in 1997?
At ASU, Tillman thrived on the field and in the classroom. The linebacker helped his team to achieve an undefeated season and to make to the 1997 Rose Bowl game. He won the Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year and was selected as the ASU Most Valuable Player of the Year in 1997.
How many times was Tillman shot in the head?
When Tillman and his half of the platoon came to the rescue, they were mistaken for enemy soldiers. Tillman was shot three times in the head while protecting a young soldier, and two other Americans were wounded.
What awards did Tillman win?
Tillman also earned awards for his performance as a student, winning the Clyde B. Smith Academic Award in 1996 and 1997; the Sporting News Honda Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 1997; and the 1998 Sun Angel Student Athlete of Year.
How did Tillman's platoon break down?
What did become known was that Tillman's platoon was forced to split up when one of their vehicles broke down during a routine search of an Afghan village. Half the platoon members were ordered to tow the vehicle, but were attacked by Taliban insurgents. When Tillman and his half of the platoon came to the rescue, they were mistaken for enemy soldiers. Tillman was shot three times in the head while protecting a young soldier, and two other Americans were wounded.
What disease did Aaron Hernandez have?
After he committed suicide in his jail cell in 2017, he was revealed to have been suffering from the degenerative brain disease CTE. (1989–2017) Person.
Why was the "if" at the end of the general's statement particularly concerning to the Tillman family?
The “if” at the end of the general’s statement was particularly concerning to the Tillman family, in part because subsequent investigations revealed that McChrystal was well-aware of the fact that Tillman’s death was a case of fratricide when he sent the memo.
What did Tillman say about the Lynch rescue?
In his journal, Tillman observed that the build-up of forces around the Lynch rescue suggested “a big Public Relations stunt.” He was right about the larger dynamics surrounding Lynch’s rescue, that the truth of what happened on the ground during the ordeal would be distorted to present the American public with a more inspiring story . He had no way of knowing, however, that the pattern would repeat itself the following year — this time with him at the center.
What year did Pat Tillman play for the Cardinals?
Pat Tillman of the Arizona Cardinals during an NFL football game in Tempe, Ariz., on Dec. 9, 2001. Photo: Donald Miralle/Allsport/Getty Images. What set Tillman apart was what he left behind: a $3.6 million contract with the Arizona Cardinals.
What was the intent of the President's retweet?
The intent of the president’s retweet was clear: Trump was co-signing a suggestion that Tillman was a true patriot, unlike those who have chosen to kneel during the national anthem, and that those protests dishonor his legacy.
How old was Tillman when he was captured?
The 19-year-old private’s capture and rescue was one of the most famous and widely reported stories of the early stages of the Iraq War.
Why did Tillman join the NFL?
Tillman enlisted expecting to join the fight against Al Qaeda and the effort to bring Osama bin Laden to justice.
How old was Tillman when he joined the army?
Tillman was 25 years old when he joined the Army, placing him on the older side of military enlistees but on the decidedly younger side of life. His decision was born out of the conclusion that his comfortable existence in the U.S. made little sense in the months after 9/11; he wanted meaning, he wanted to do something that mattered, and he wanted to continue a lifelong project of placing himself in challenging situations. Along with his brother Kevin, Tillman chose to enlist. It was the same decision thousands of other young people of his generation made in the aftermath of 9/11. Both of the Tillman boys were, by all accounts, independent-minded free thinkers who enjoyed good books and good debates — chest-pounding jocks they were not. And, like many others who chose to come to the nation’s defense following 9/11, their worldview would evolve as they saw George W. Bush’s Global War on Terrorism up close.
How many tackles did Pat Tillman have in 2001?
Tillman registered 94 tackles in 2001, but numbers and football weren’t on the top of his mind. Serving his country was.
How old was Pat Tillman when he was a hero?
Pat Tillman was 27.
How did Pat Tillman die?
After graduation in November 2003, both deployed to Afghanistan. On April 22, 2004, Pat Tillman tragically died, according to the military, by enemy fire during an ambush on a road not far from the Pakistan border.
What happened to Pat Tillman?
Sixteen years ago today former Arizona Cardinals safety Pat Tillman was shot and killed in Afghanistan in a friendly fire accident. What happened on the day of his death and the days and weeks that followed generated controversy and raised more questions than answers.
How tall was Tillman in 1997?
Despite that lack of attention, there was no denying the 5-foot-11-inch Tillman had an impressive college resume. Tillman led the Sun Devils defensively in 1997 recording a team-high 93 tackles, registered four sacks, and hauled in three interceptions.
When was Pat Tillman drafted?
When the Arizona Cardinals drafted Pat Tillman out of Arizona State in the 7th round of the 1998 NFL draft, most fans didn’t even notice. Despite that lack of attention, there was no denying the 5-foot-11-inch Tillman had an impressive college resume.
When did Pat Tillman go to Ranger School?
For three months Pat and Kevin Tillman made their way through basic training, and late in 2002 , both completed the Ranger Indoctrination Program. Pat was deployed to Iraq for the initial invasion of Operation Iraqi Freedom and returned to the states a few months later, where the two entered Ranger School.
