SIRIUS SportsIf you love the thrill of the game, SIRIUS offers the best in sports action streamed directly to your radio, no matter where you go. Keep up with the latest live broadcasts of the NBA and every NFL regular season game.
Tillman killed in Afghanistan
CNN: Former Cardinals safety was serving in U.S. Army Special Forces
Posted: Friday April 23, 2004 12:00PM; Updated: Friday April 23, 2004 12:07PM
Pat Tillman played for the Cardinals from 1998-2001.
Todd Warshaw/Getty images
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Former NFL player Pat Tillman was killed Thursday while serving as an Army Special Forces soldier on a mission in southeastern Afghanistan, Pentagon officials have told CNN. He was 27.
Tillman, who walked away from a $3.6 million contract as a safety with the Arizona Cardinals to join the military after the Sept. 11 attacks, was in an area where numerous U.S. troops have been killed in battles with suspected al Qaeda and Taliban fighters.
He was serving as an Army Ranger, part of the Army's Special Forces. Tillman was a member of the 75th Ranger Regiment. The officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said a formal announcement was expected later in the day.
Spokesmen at the Pentagon and U.S. Army declined comment.
There were no immediate details on his death.
A military official, also speaking on the condition of anonymity, said that a soldier had been killed in action in Afghanistan on Thursday, but could not confirm that the soldier was Tillman.
Tillman played four seasons with the Cardinals before enlisting in the Army in May 2002.
Tillman's brother, Kevin, a former minor league baseball prospect in the Cleveland Indians' organization, also joined the Rangers and served in the Middle East. They committed to three-year stints in the Army.
He made the decision after returning from his honeymoon with his wife, Marie.
Tillman's agent, Frank Bauer, has called him a deep and clear thinker who has never valued material things.
In 2001, Tillman turned down a $9 million, five-year offer sheet from the Super Bowl champion St. Louis Rams out of loyalty to the Cardinals, and by joining the Army, he passed on millions more from the team.
Tillman turned aside interview requests after joining the Army. In December, during a trip home, he made a surprise visit to his Cardinal teammates.
"For all the respect and love that all of us have for Pat Tillman and his brother and Marie, for what they did and the sacrifices they made ... believe me, if you have a chance to sit down and talk with them, that respect and that love and admiration increase tenfold," Coach Dave McGinnis said at the time. "It was a really, really enriching evening."
It was not immediately clear when Tillman went to Afghanistan.
The 5-foot-11, 200-pound Tillman was distinguished by his intelligence and appetite for rugged play. As an undersized linebacker at Arizona State, he was the Pac-10's defensive player of the year in 1997.
He set a franchise record with 224 tackles in 2000 and warmed up for last year's training camp by competing in a 70.2-mile triathlon in June.
Tillman carried a 3.84 grade point average through college and graduated with high honors in 3 1/2 academic years with a degree in marketing.
"You don't find guys that have that combination of being as bright and as tough as him," Phil Snow, who coached Tillman as Arizona State's defensive coordinator, said in 2002. "This guy could go live in a foxhole for a year by himself with no food."
Tillman and his brother Kevin last year won the Arthur Ashe Courage award at the 11th annual ESPY Awards.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
We have people like Tillman in the world, then there are people like Eli Manning that refuses to play with the team that drafts him. Unless that team is the NY Giants.
RIP Tillman, you are a great American!
__________________ SIRIUS subscriber since Feb '04!
I sit back at my desk at work. Remembering the events that unfolded on 9/11. Then I think of the NFL in it's first weekend back. The flags being waved. The emotions of the players. Seeing Ricky Waters with tears in his eyes. The combat Helicoptors and Jets fly over the Stadiums. It showed you what it was all about.
Then you look at now. You think of all the fuck ups. All the lies and all the bullshit the Government led us to believe about certain things. You think of how the rich always take care of themselves and let the middle and lower class go fight all the wars.
Then you have someone like Pat & his brother Kevin come along. Give up the life of the Rich and Famous. Let it all go and do what they feel is right. Go fight for what they believe in. Pat's death was an example of honor for the middle class or shall I say "The little guy". Whats the slogan you always hear. "Watch out for the little guy, make sure nothing happens to him". Pat Tillman was the little guy looking out for the rest of us.
The EXAMPLE alone of what he did, what he gave up should be an inspiration to all of us. May he Rest in Peace.
I hope they have a statue of him in the Arizona Cardinals new Stadium. Cause he wasn't the best player or famous. But having his Statue is a symbol of what he did for the common man and his service to his Country. That is why I feel he should have a Statue
Pat Tillman is a true hero. By giving up the millions in NFL contracts to fight for our country, he proved what selflessnes is. Even if it had turned out different with him returning after his tour of duty expired, he would still be a hero in my eyes.
God bless him and all the other regular folks that are now heroes fighting for the protection of our country and freedoms!
He was a smart player, not equipped with the best physical size for the NFL, he made the most of what he had. He hit hard and played smart. He was the most loyal of people you would ever meet. He turned down a multimillion dollar contract to continue to play with the Cardinals, the team that had taken a chance on him in the 7th round of the draft. After September 11th, his loyalties shifted from the Cardinals to his country, which needed men like him to defend it. Turning down a 3.6 million dollar contract from the Cardinals, he enlisted in the Army, hoping to become an Army Ranger. His dream was realized and he died defending the country he loved. His memory will not be forgotton and I know the Cardinals organization, the players he played with for the Cardinals, all of ASU is hurting and the fans are hurting.
Pat Tillman a True Hero of the People
Linear Mode
