Ex-NFL player Tillman killed in Iraq

[tuckerhat]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4815441/


Ex-NFL player Tillman killed in Iraq
Former Cardinal gave up big salary to join Army Rangers

BREAKING NEWS
NBCSports.com news services
Updated: 10:03 a.m. ET April 23, 2004

Pat Tillman, who gave up a lucrative NFL contract with the Phoenix Cardinals to join the Army Rangers, has been killed in Iraq, according to NBC’s Jim Miklaszewski.

In the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Tillman decided to turn down a three-year, $3.6 million contract with the Arizona Cardinals to enlist in the Army.

[NcDeuce]

I posted this article not too long ago...


Tillman begins boot camp, not NFL camp

FORT BENNING, Ga. (AP) — NFL player Pat Tillman made a living pushing his body to the limit, putting himself through grueling training and sweating it out in the summer heat. This year, he's doing it for the Army for a lot less money.

http://images.usatoday.com/sports/nfl/photos/2002-06-03-inside-tillman.gif

The 25-year-old starting safety for the Arizona Cardinals told coaches last year that he wanted to join the Rangers — the Army's elite infantry unit — and train with his younger brother, who enlisted with him.

Tillman turned down a three-year, $3.6 million contract with the Cardinals to make $18,000 per year for an uncertain future, since there is no guarantee he will make Ranger.

Basic training began Monday at Fort Benning.

"In Pat Tillman's view of the world, football is a part of it, but there are a lot of other things that are important to him," said Lyle Setencich, Tillman's linebacker coach at Arizona State University.

This is, after all, a player who last year turned down a $9 million, five-year offer from the St. Louis Rams so he could stay with the perennially losing Cardinals for less money.

Tillman has rejected all requests for an interview about his decision.

"He said there were personal reasons he didn't want to divulge to me, and I didn't press him on it," Cardinals coach Dave McGinnis said. "I respect his decision. I think it's honorable."

Others have questioned his sanity, but that is nothing new for Tillman, who used to meditate atop a 200-foot light tower above Arizona State's stadium.

"If you don't know Pat, then you would think he's crazy," said Phil Snow, who coached Tillman as Arizona State's defensive coordinator. "The planes flew so close to him that he could damn near reach out and touch them. He's just fearless."

Bored before the 2000 season, Tillman ran a marathon. After setting a Cardinals record with 224 tackles in 2000, he prepared for last year's training camp by competing in a 70.2-mile triathlon.

"You don't find guys that have that combination of being as bright and as tough as him," Snow said. "This guy could go live in a foxhole for a year by himself with no food."

Tillman's age might have been a factor in his decision — the cutoff for the Rangers is 28. Several of Tillman's friends believe the Sept. 11 attacks had an influence. Setencich attended Tillman's wedding in May and talked with him about the National Football League.

"He mentioned he might get out of it," Setencich said. "I asked him if he wanted to go to law school and he kind of smiled and said, 'There are a lot of things I can do."'

Tillman's goal will be difficult. Only 35% of all candidates get to wear the coveted black and gold Ranger tab. Physical fitness is key, but Army training is different from sports.

"Mental toughness separates those that drive on," said retired Ranger Capt. Todd Bearden. "When you take away somebody's sleep and somebody's food and push them to the limit, it changes the dynamics of everything."

Truly an American hero. R.I.P.

[seruriermarshal]

RIP

Sad message .

But allies will win in Iraq ......

[mack pl]

Real patriot :| RIP :(

[Falco]

RIP :(

[moughoun]

Isn't it strange and sad that quiet a few of the men killed in Iraq we have known somwhat beforhand, like Scott Halveston and now Pat Tillman, there has been a few case's in the UK and Ireland as well, RIP no more worries

[seruriermarshal]

I hear he killed in Afghanistan ......

:(

[Aussie E]

RIP
He gave it all up at the top of his game to be with his brother and defend what he believed in.
The report I saw as well as the msnbc articles said he died in Afghanistan not Iraq.
Lest We Forget

[tuckerhat]

another link

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,117988,00.html


Reports: Ex-NFL Star Tillman Killed in Afghanistan
Friday, April 23, 2004

PHOENIX — Former NFL defense back Pat Tillman (search) died while serving as an Army ranger in Afghanistan, several news organizations reported Friday.


The Arizona Cardinals (search), the team Tillman played for before making his decision to join the armed forces, had no immediate comment on the reports. The team told Fox News it was aware of the reports and may hold a news conference later Friday.

Tillman shocked fans when he turned down a $3.6 million contract with the Cardinals to be an Army ranger.

[Ichhabe]

How can news agencies mess up an official bulletin like that?

Instead of focusing on that a man got killed for defending freedom and democracy, now people will speculate on where he was killed, and if he has been killed. :cantbeli:

[sethen]

R.I.P :(

I remember thinking a few days ago," He is quite a man to do what he is doing."

[seruriermarshal]

Must revenge for killed ( in 911 , Afghanistan , Iraq ...... )

[scm77]

He truly was a great man.

RIP

[NcDeuce]

(March 20, 2003) -- Those who know Pat Tillman know that he always has welcomed a challenge.

As a youth, he high-dived from bridges and cliffs. At Arizona State, he hopped the fence at Sun Devil Stadium and climbed a light tower. Before reporting for training camp with the Arizona Cardinals two years ago, he competed in a 70-mile triathlon.

"He's like Forrest Gump. He tries everything," says Frank Sanders, his former teammate.

So no one should have been surprised last spring when Tillman, entering his fourth NFL season, shucked it all and joined his brother, Kevin, in setting out to become an Army Ranger. What's a three-year, $3.6 million pro football contract when you can collect $18,000 a year from Uncle Sam?

"Pat has very deep and true convictions," Cardinals coach Dave McGinnis said at the time. "He's a deep thinker, and believe me, this was something he thought out."

Tillman made no public statement. He wasn't in this for the publicity. But you didn't need to dig too deeply to find an explanation for his actions. Friends said that the 9/11 terrorist attacks had affected him deeply. Cardinals defensive coordinator Larry Marmie, after a conversation with his former player, said Tillman felt he needed to "pay something back" for the comfortable life he had been afforded.

Whatever his rationale, he clearly was serious about his pursuit. He and Kevin completed basic training in July and advanced through individual training in October. They graduated from parachute school in November, and completed the Ranger Indoctrination Program in December. Just that quickly, Tillman was assigned to the second battalion of the 75th Ranger Regiment in Fort Lewis, Washington.

"He's a full-fledged Ranger now," Army spokesperson Carol Darby reported. "He's ready for combat. He will move with his unit for whatever that unit is involved in."

The 75th Ranger Regiment was deployed recently, presumably to the Middle East. If the description that the Army attaches to the unit ("flexible, highly trained, and rapidly deployed light infantry force with specialized skills") is any measure, the 75th likely will wind up in the middle of the most serious action.

You can be sure that Tillman will be prepared for the challenge. He succeeds at just about everything he sets out to do.

Consider…

He arrived at Arizona State in 1994 on the school's last remaining football scholarship, landing a spot on the end of the bench, where dreams go to expire. He left four seasons later as the Pac-10 Conference Defensive Player of the Year.

He was selected by the Cardinals with the 226th pick of the 1998 draft -- the league packed up and went home after pick 241 -- and five months later, he was Arizona's starting strong safety.

This is a fellow who doesn't know the meaning of fail -- on the field, in the classroom, or anywhere else. He had a 3.84 grade-point average at ASU and graduated with a degree in marketing in 3½ years.

Pat Tillman is nothing if not unusual. In college, he played linebacker, where he was thought to be too small. In the NFL, he played safety, where he was thought to be too slow. When he set a club record for tackles in 2000 and attracted the interest of another team, the St. Louis Rams, he declined their five-year offer sheet out of loyalty to the club that had drafted him.

NFL players hardly have been strangers to military service. Roger Staubach served four years after graduating from the Naval Academy before joining the Dallas Cowboys as a 27-year-old rookie in 1969. Rocky Bleier of the Pittsburgh Steelers nearly lost a leg to a land mine when he did a tour of duty in Vietnam.

But the list of names grows a little shorter when it comes to NFL players who have walked away from million-dollar contracts in the prime of their careers.

The story that comes to mind is one told by Bruce Snyder, Tillman's coach at Arizona State. It seems that Snyder planned to redshirt Tillman as a freshman, extending his eligibility by a season. Of course, that would necessitate Tillman remaining in college for an extra year.

"You can do whatever you want with me," Tillman said, "but in four years I'm gone. I've got things to do with my life."

Obviously, he still does.

http://images.nfl.com/photos/img5701400.jpg

Good article printed over a year ago.

[American Patriot]

Died from hostile fire?

This is too weird, I remember hearing about it when he left the Cardinals.

[farmgirl]

RIP :(

[shrek]

Unless he moved recently he was in Afghanistan, trust me on this one!

[obd]

A true and selfless American hero.......Thank you for your courage, your commitment, and your sacrifice so that I and my family and all of America and free nations can sleep safe at night and live free.... Your sacrifice in Afghanistan was truly for the free worlds benefit and all freedom loving peoples shall shed a tear at the sad news of your departure.

From what I know of the man as a football player I think he would wish to be remmembered for the creed he cherished.



RANGERS LEAD THE WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[moughoun]

It was Afganistan, sorry for the muck up :oops:

[Uncle Sam]

They said a news briefing about this will be on FoxNews today.

I respect this man. He was a Ranger and served with a Ranger Batt. in a combat zone, he gave up an opportunity to make millions, to do what he felt was the right thing to do. A definite mark of distinction, and honor. RLTW

[snake]

He was a man who knew the meaning of sacrifice and the true meaning to be an American.

Freedom.

[seruriermarshal]

Fight for freedom !

[venture160]

according to espn.com his brother was in the same platoon as him when they came under mortar fire in afghanistan, that must have been tough for him

[pinkeye]

this is terrible news, r.i.p. tillman is a genuine hero.

in addition, $18K a year to serve for your country? that's terrible; men and women in uniform deserve better, much better. but for people such as tillman and others, money is not important. wish more people could be this way, including myself...

[Trigger]

I salute you Pat Tillman.

Rest In Peace.

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. - John 15:13

[JiJoMacLE45]

It's men like Ranger Tillman that make me proud to call this country my home. He had what many people would consider the dream gig and he chucked it because he believed in serving a cause higher than himself. Thank you for protecting my freedoms. My prayers are with your family, friends, and fellow servicemen. RIP.

[WolverineBlue]

This hits very close to home. If he gets buried at Arlington Cemetery, I will be there to pay my respects.

[Damian]

A Real American Hero!
RIP

[Seoulstriker]

he makes me incredibly proud and sad at the same time. :( :( :(

RIP, your service to this country is incredible. :(

[Undo]

Tillman embodied what America should be. May he rest in peace, and may peace be his legacy.

[ShotOver]

I'm speachless, this man should be in the Dictionary under A hero, with his country, family and fellow countrymen at heart before himself.
He is a True Hero, paid the ultimate sacrifice for his love of his Country, true respect goes out to him, much love.
Rest in Peace.

God holds a special place in Heaven for Hero's, this man will sit amoungst the best of them.

[Midav]

A damn shame.

RIP :(

[venture160]

stepping back to look at this for a while, you know, we can't get caught up saying one man put more heroic effort in than the next, im sure there are plenty of other men in the armed forces who may have even given up more than Tillman to fight for their country, one's we will never hear of, those are the proud that I tipp my hat off to

[Royal]

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning
We will remember them.

We will remember them.

[Uncle Sam]

stepping back to look at this for a while, you know, we can't get caught up saying one man put more heroic effort in than the next, im sure there are plenty of other men in the armed forces who may have even given up more than Tillman to fight for their country, one's we will never hear of, those are the proud that I tipp my hat off to

I really don't think that anyone here feels any less about the deaths of any soldier. They have all made some sort of sacrifice, and some have made the ultimate sacrifice. But, because he was in the "public eye" we heard about it.

[budanski]

stepping back to look at this for a while, you know, we can't get caught up saying one man put more heroic effort in than the next, im sure there are plenty of other men in the armed forces who may have even given up more than Tillman to fight for their country, one's we will never hear of, those are the proud that I tipp my hat off to

Every man who serves/served is a hero. Not every man was given a chance to turn down a multi-million dollar contract to fight for his country and eventually paid the ultimate price. RIP

[MKtexan]

RIP to all soldiers from all nations killed during the War on Terror. :(

[usa320]

Truly an American hero. He gave up 7 million dollars to defend his country for a mere salary.

[usa320]

Truly an American hero. He gave up 7 million dollars to defend his country for a mere salary.

[incubz5]

I'm going to pass on all the sad faces and R.I.P.s and give this guy the salute he really deserves:

RANGERS LEAD THE WAY!!!!

It's evident to anyone who reads about this hero that he loved nothing more than being a Ranger. Excluding suicides, none of us can choose our death and he went out not in a helicopter crash, not by stepping on a landmine, but in a firefight helping his buddies.

There are no soldiers more motivated than Special Forces soldiers and I think this gentleman exemplified that breed. They die all the time, especially now. Tillman's death is headline news because of his football career, but he died a Ranger, not a linebacker. He was motivated after 9-11 to enlist and do something about the terrorist threat. He ran a number of operations and was signed up for a three-year stretch. It's sad we lost him, but let's remember that his fellow SF brothers die almost on a weekly basis in some part of the world. This is what they do though, and they know the risks.

[MVSpartan117]

:(


RIP

[DE_Six]

RIP :(

[chopsticks]

Damn the dude died. I heard about em here one the news (in holland). Not a lot of people would turn down a multi-million dollar contract to join something like the rangers. Yeah, we need more men like him in this world. Serving others, not himself.

Inspiring guy. RIP

[SiFiOn]

True hero to my knowledge, RIP.

[NcDeuce]

I just bought an Arizona Cardinals hat and I'm about to mark RIP PT #40 on it...I looked up to the guy back when I played because he was the small underdog guy who ought to have played DB in college but was such a good tackler, he played LB.

http://espn-att.starwave.com/media/nfl/2004/0423/photo/a_tillmanuni2_st.jpg
Pat Tillman performed the honor of being the guidon bearer during graduation ceremonies on Oct. 25, 2002 at Fort Benning, Ga.


In December, during a trip home, Tillman 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," then-Cardinals coach Dave McGinnis said at the time. "It was a really, really enriching evening."

Pat was first deployed to Iraq in March 2003, with the 75th Regiment Ranger Battalion. Following a brief break, he was posted in Afghanistan, where U.S. troops have been battling pockets of al-Qaida and Taliban resistance since U.S.-led forces attacked the Central Asian nation in 200

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 the next year's training camp by competing in a 70.2-mile triathlon.

Tillman carried a 3.84 grade-point average through college and graduated with high honors in 3½ 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.

[Tributal]

I'm not a football fan nor an American, but my hat's off for anyone that makes the decision he made.
If there ever was a role model for the youth of America - he's it!

Hat stays off.

[usa320]

"In sports we have a tendency to overuse terms like courage and bravery and heroes," said Cardinals vice president Michael Bidwill, son of the team's owner Bill Bidwill, "and then someone like Pat Tillman comes along and reminds us what those terms really mean."


HOOAH

[ßå$tĮТHÏ¿ð]

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning
We will remember them.

We will remember them.

So true.
RIP :(

[gilgoul]

It hursts, but all my respect and admiration to this man, he made the hard choice.

[Jack Mehoff]

http://www.personal.psu.edu/users/r/s/rsr149/salute.jpg

[Grim]

RIP

[EchoSierra2]

man this was a shocker to me when i got the alert this morning. this is a roll model. a true patriot thru and thru. i am inspired.

[Uncle Sam]

http://www.xbox-connection.com/hostedimages/tillman.jpg


The U.S. military in the Afghan capital, Kabul, said on Friday that a soldier was killed and two wounded in a firefight near the village of Sperah southwest of Khost on Thursday after a patrol was ambushed.

[Jack Mehoff]

For those who wish to express their condolences, the AZ Cardinals has set up this email address: inmemoryofpattillman@cardinals.nfl.net

[Ghostwolf]

All gave some, and some gave all.....

RIP

[jah]

The protected will never know

[MEGR]

RIP. One of many great Americans that gave their life for us. Thanks.

very sad, it hurts :(

RIP

[EchoSierra2]

The protected will never know NICE words!

[sethen]

He died in Afghanistan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hello!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :cantbeli:

[throat warbler mangrove]

I'd like to say something profound, but the best I can come up with is that this guy is the inspiration I've been looking for. At least I know he knew what he was doing.

[Seoulstriker]

from the DoD press service...:


NEWS RELEASE from the United States Department of Defense

No. 366-04
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Apr 23, 2004
Media Contact: Army Public Affairs - (703) 692-2000
Public/Industry Contact: (703)428-0711

DoD Identifies Army Casualty


The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Soldier who
was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Spc. Patrick D. Tillman, 27, of Chandler, Ariz., died April 22, in Afghanistan when
his patrol vehicle came under attack. Spc. Tillman was assigned to the Army's 2nd
Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Lewis, Wash.

The incident is under investigation.

For further information related to this release, contact United States Army Special
Operations Command at 910-432-6005.

[Ballistic]

True hero. Gave up a dream life to become a soldier, a selfless act. Truely an inspiration. Wish I could say more. RIP Pat. God be with you and your family.

:(

[HKFIN]

Damn... man who have a change play football and made a million but choose serve his contry and join in army, going Afganistan and give his life for us western civilisation!

RIP

[ShotOver]

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning
We will remember them.

We will remember them.

Still the only poem to bring a tear to my eye every ANZAC day, Lest We Forget.

[Ballistic]

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning
We will remember them.

We will remember them.

Still the only poem to bring a tear to my eye every ANZAC day, Lest We Forget.

Too right.

[Argo AdAm]

Full respect to this man. RIP :(

[irra!]

Tillman lead the way!

RIP :( :(

[Seoulstriker]

from the DoD press service:


From: Press Service <afisnews_sender@DTIC.MIL>
Subject: Former Football Star Killed in Afghanistan
To: DEFENSE-PRESS-SERVICE-L@DTIC.MIL
Precedence: list

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, April 24, 2004 – He was so moved by the events of Sept. 11, 2001,
that he turned down a $3.6 million professional football contract to become an
Army Ranger.

Spc. Pat Tillman, 27, who was deployed with the 75th Ranger Regiment from Fort
Benning, Ga., was killed April 22 during a firefight in southeastern
Afghanistan. The Defense Department confirmed the soldier's identity late April
23.

U.S. Central Command officials said Tillman was part of a coalition combat
patrol that was ambushed near the village of Sperah, 40 kilometers southwest of
Khowst. The patrol responded immediately with direct fire, and a firefight
ensued before the enemy broke contact. Tillman and an Afghan Militia Force
soldier were killed during the engagement, and two coalition soldiers were
wounded, officials said.

Tillman and his brother, Spc. Kevin Tillman, made national news when they
walked away from careers as professional athletes to join the Army. Pat Tillman
played four seasons with the National Football League's Arizona Cardinals
before enlisting in May 2002. Kevin Tillman played minor league baseball in the
Cleveland Indians organization.

Both brothers earned their place among the elite Army Rangers and served
together in the same battalion during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Last July, the Tillman brothers also won the Arthur Ashe Courage award at the
11th annual ESPY Awards on ESPN. The award is presented to those who serve a
greater good outside the sporting arena, officials said.

Officials said both brothers shunned publicity and maintained a low profile
while they served. Army Lt. Col. Don Sondo, deputy commander of the U.S. Army
Infantry Training Brigade at Fort Benning, Ga., told the Army News Service
neither wanted special treatment for their celebrity status. The difference
between sports and combat is the cost of being wrong, said Sondo. In a sport,
you lose a game; in combat, you lose lives, he said.

Today the military and sports communities alike mourned the loss of a soldier
who made the ultimate sacrifice in the war on terror.

Cardinals vice president Michael Bidwell remembered Tillman's determination,
focus and fierce sense of competition and called his death "a terrible loss for
the National Football League and the Arizona Cardinals."
"In sports, we have a tendency to overuse terms like 'courage' and 'bravery,'
and 'heroes,'" Bidwell said. "Then someone special like Pat Tillman comes
along. And it reminds us what those terms really mean." Bidwell said the
Cardinals and the NFL "were privileged to have Pat Tillman in its family and we
are all weaker today following his loss."

The Cardinals announced the team is retiring Tillman's number 40, and that the
perimeter of their new stadium, scheduled to open in 2006, will be named "Pat
Tillman Freedom Plaza." The team also is joining with Arizona State University,
where Tillman played his college football, to establish a scholarship.

"Pat knew his purpose in life," said former Cardinals head coach Dave McGinnis.
"He proudly walked away from a career in football to a greater calling, which
was to protect and defend our country. Pat represents those who have and will
make the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. I am overwhelmed with a sense of
sorrow, but I also feel a tremendous feeling of pride for him and his service."

Pete Kendall of the Arizona Cardinals, Tillman's former teammate, said
Tillman's loss underscores the sacrifices America's armed forces make on a
daily basis during the war on terror. "My thoughts and my prayers go out to his
wife, his brother, his family, and to all the servicemen and women who are
making this sacrifice for us every day," he said.

"Pat Tillman personified all the best values of his country and the NFL. He was
an achiever and leader on many levels who always put his team, his community
and his country ahead of his personal interests," said NFL Commissioner Paul
Tagliabue. "Like other men and women protecting our freedom around the world,
Pat made the ultimate sacrifice and gave his life in the service of our
country."

White House spokesman Taylor Gross called Tillman "an inspiration both on and
off the football field."

"As with all who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the war on terror, his
family is in the thoughts and prayers of President and Mrs. Bush," Gross said.

Related Sites:
U.S. Central Command [http://www.centcom.mil/]
75th Ranger Regiment [http://www.soc.mil/75thrr/75th_home.htm]
U.S. Army Infantry Training
Brigade [http://www.infantry.army.mil/itb/]
<spacer type= vertical size=5>

Related Article:
Ranger
Brothers Get ESPY Award [http://defendamerica.mil/profiles/jul2003/pr071803a.html]

RIP :(

[fdt]

To serve the Country not the $. It's exceptional. You won't find that way of thinking in Europe anymore... many of us here would probably go to war if offered the cash he rejected, some would even leave their beliefs aside... Some of us here would like to call him a fool... Oh yes... I bet there are such... but they have chosen to STFU ... facing the sheer power of his attitude. How many of us would have guts and... patriotism... yeah this ol' unfashionable forgotten word... to do what he did... Mega kudos.

[Jack Mehoff]

http://www.mustangmods.com/data/6381/tillman.jpg

[MARINO]

RIP :(

[duck]

Exceptional Man, a Knight of our times. Just makes me think of what he could have been...

[MAGNUM]

A great man.

RIP