Nearly 19 years after his untimely death, Pat Tillman’s legacy in the NFL lives on. Consider this year’s Super Bowl as an example. The NFL just announced that four Tillman scholars from the Pat Tillman Foundation will act as honorary coin toss captains before Sunday’s big game in honor of the former Cardinals’ safety.
It’s just the latest accolade for the tough safety, whose life and career have been the subject of countless books and films.
However, Tillman is a mystery to today’s youthful fans. From his time as a player to the mystery surrounding his murder and the subsequent military cover-up, his legacy has inspired numerous questions.
Indeed, there have been specific examples. Some are more concrete, while others are more nebulous. Nonetheless, he is a fascinating character in the history of the league. It’s fitting to reflect on the life and passing of the legendary former Arizona player in the days leading up to Sunday’s pregame ceremony.
What happened to Pat Tillman?
To NFL fans, Tillman was an emerging star when he was selected in the seventh round and he thrilled them with his love for bone-crunching hits and game-changing exploits. He was a member of the league from 1998 until 2001.
His four seasons with the Cardinals were among the most successful of his career. Over the course of that season, he became known as a top defensive back in the league. Tillman received All-Pro votes in 2000 after recording 155 tackles (118 solos), two forced fumbles, and an interception.
Tillman, whom many have described as a “voracious reader” with an “unquenchable desire for knowledge,” was rewarded by Arizona with a contract extension covering multiple years. But he turned down the offer and joined the U.S. Army instead, saying that he felt compelled to do something to protect the country in the wake of the September 11 attacks.
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Along with his sibling, he enlisted in the military on May 31, 2002, and both of them were sent to Iraq in March 2003. After finishing ranger school back in the States, he was sent back to Afghanistan in April 2004. On April 22, 2004, Tillman lost his life in combat.
What killed Pat Tillman?
Tillman’s death was initially attributed to “enemy combatants” in an ambush, according to the army’s initial report. The story goes that Tillman was killed while defending his comrades when he charged up a hill in the Khost Province’s rugged territory and was cut down by the hostile fire.
In an effort to defend his comrades, Tillman had certainly charged up a knoll. However, the “enemy” did not end his life. But instead, he’d been shot three times in the head by fellow soldiers in his own regiment. A witness heard Tillman shout, “I’m Pat f— Tillman!” as bullets whizzed past his head.
The friendly fire murder of Pfc. Tillman was a nightmare for the U.S. Army’s propaganda machine, which had taken a huge hit earlier in the week when “60 Minutes” aired graphic footage of abuse at the U.S.-run detention camp Abu Ghraib.
So, Army leaders made up the story of how Tillman was killed to win public approval at home. You can also check out the below tweet:
Between the all woman flyover, the Pat Tillman whitewashing and the Damar Hamlin near death being spun into a story of the NFL supporting “first responders” this pre game has like 18 Citations Needed episodes in one
— Adam H. Johnson (@adamjohnsonNYC) February 12, 2023
Despite Tillman’s criticism of the U.S. military establishment in his journal and his repeated doubts about the legitimacy of the invasion and occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan, he has been elevated to the status of military hero and martyr.
His body armor and uniform were destroyed and many pieces of evidence from the scene of his death vanished, nevertheless, he was promptly recommended for the Silver Star award.
Mary Tillman, Tillman’s mother, described it as a “steak dinner” for the much-maligned U.S. soldiers.
“We’ve got Abu Ghraib, all this other stuff [the garbage], but this soldier [the steak] who is very high profile has been killed; we can use this to our advantage. Unfortunately, he was killed by friendly fire. That means we’re going to have to spin it.”
A Purple Heart was awarded to Pat Tillman, but Why?
In 2004, Tillman was posthumously honored for his service by being awarded the Purple Heart medal. In a statement, Lieutenant General Stanley McChrystal explained what happened to Tillman.
Brigadier General Gary Jones felt that Tillman deserved the praise he had received because he had intended to fight with the enemy. Even so, at the time of his death, friendly fire casualties were not often given Purple Hearts.
“I felt it was essential you receive this information as soon as we detected it,” McChrystal wrote in a memo to the Army’s chain of command (via The Intercept’s Ryan Devereaux), “in order to preclude any unknowing statements by our country’s leaders which might cause public embarrassment if the circumstances of Corporal Tillman’s death become public.”
Command determined that Tillman was entitled to the medal since his unit was under fire from the enemy when he died.
Who Took Pat Tillman’s Position?
Amid secondary giants like John Lynch, Rodney Harrison, and Darren Woodson, Tillman stood out. At barely 5 feet 11 inches tall and 204 pounds, the strong safety was one of the smallest and least physically imposing players in his position.
When he got out in the open, however, he became a major distraction and a reliable force for bringing down opposing ball carriers.
When Pat Tillman left the NFL, he presumably forewent a sizable salary. Sadly, Tillman retired from football early to join the military in 2002. It wasn’t for a lack of NFL opportunities, though. Tillman not only stayed loyal to the Cardinals despite turning down a five-year, $9 million contract from the Rams.
He eventually decided to join the U.S. war effort and turned down a three-year, $3.6-million extension.
Take this year’s Super Bowl the NFL announced that four Pat Tillman Foundation students will serve as honorary coin toss captains before Sunday’s big game. If you want to check out more latest updates relating to the sports person then you can join us on our Twitter account.