Football Career:
Pat Tillman was an NFL player for 5 seasons. He spent all five of those with the Arizona Cardinals. He played college football for Arizona State. Tillman had to work for everything. He made the last scholarship spot for ASU at linebacker. In 1997 he was awarded Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year after an incredible junior season. In the 1998 NFL Draft, Pat Tillman was selected 226th overall by the Arizona Cardinals. In training camp that year, he moved over to play safety and started 10 of 16 games in his rookie season. He later turned down a 5-year, $9 million contract from the St. Louis Rams. He wanted to stay in Arizona and was loyal to the Cardinals. In 2000, Pat was named to the Sports Illustrated All-Pro team after having the best year of his career. In week 15 of the 2000 season, Pat Tillman intercepted Trent Dilfer to record his first career interception. After the 2001 NFL season, Pat declined a 3-year, $3.6 million contract from the Cardinals to enlist in the military.
Military Career:
Pat Tillman enlisted in the Army on May 31, 2002 with his brother Kevin. In September 2002, they both finished their basic training. They then completed the Ranger Assessment & Selection Program later that year. They were assigned to the 2nd Ranger Battalion in Fort Lewis, Washington. He was then deployed to Iraq and helped in the initial invasion of Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Upon returning home in September 2003, he entered the Ranger school at Fort Benning, Georgia. He graduated in November 2003. He was then deployed to Afghanistan. Sadly, on April 22, 2004, Pat Tillman was reported to have been killed by enemy combatants along with an Afghan Militia Force ally soldier. The Army initially claimed that Tillman and his unit were attacked in an ambush on a road outside of the village of Sperah. After his burial, the US Congress led an investigation on his death. Eventually, it was ruled that Tillman had been killed by friendly fire. An investigation by the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command (CID) concluded that Tillman and the Afghan militia soldier were killed by friendly fire when one allied group fired upon another in confusion after nearby gunfire was mistakenly believed to be from enemy combatants. The CID stated: ... during their movement through the canyon road, Serial 2 [Tillman's platoon had to split up because of a broken Humvee; the parts were called Serial 1 and 2] was ambushed and became engaged in a running gun battle with enemy combatants. Serial 1 had just passed through the same canyon without incident and were approximately one kilometer ahead of Serial 2. Upon hearing explosions, gunfire, and sporadic radio communication from Serial 2, Serial 1 dismounted their vehicles and moved on foot, to a more advantageous position to provide overwatch and fire support for Serial 2's movement out of the ambush. Upon exiting the gorge, and despite attempts by Serial 1 to signal a "friendly position", occupants of the lead vehicle of Serial 2 opened fire on Tillman's position, where he was fatally shot.
Awards:
Silver Star
Combat Infantryman Badge
Purple Heart
Meritorious Service Medal
Army Achievement Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Army Service Ribbon
Parachutist Badge with 2nd Ranger Battalion trimming
Expert Marksmanship badge with rifle component bar
Ranger Tab
Legacy:
Pat Tillman was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2010 and was inducted into the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame in 2018. His family has created the Pat Tillman Foundation. Since 2008, the Pat Tillman Foundation has provided academic scholarships, professional development opportunities and a national network to empower the Tillman Scholar community. These scholars are making a difference in the fields of healthcare, business, public service, STEM, education and the humanities. This foundation helps support active service members, veterans, and military spouses.
An awesome story so moving.