In 1994 an undersized linebacker from San Jose secured the last football Scholarship to Arizona State University.
Coach Bruce Snyder sat down with him, and other freshmen, to go over the concept of red-shirting. That's where a person is able to work-out with the team, learn the ropes and grow into a football player without using a year of eligibility.
Pat told Coach Snyder that he could do what he wanted... red-shirt him or not, but he'd be graduated in four years and off to do more important things with his life. Pat graduated in 3.5 years with a 3.84 grade point average. He also left ASU as the PAC-10 defensive player of the year.
Picked 226th in the NFL draft by the Arizona Cardinals, Pat set out to do what he always did... excel. He not only made the team, he started ten games in his rookie season. Later he set a team record for tackles. The undersized player could not be stopped.
When the St. Louis rams offered him $9 million dollars- he turned down the offer and remained with his team at a lower salary. This type of loyalty is rare- but Pat took loyalty to another level.
Less than a year after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 Pat turned down a $3.6 million contract extension to serve his country. He and his brother enlisted in the Army. When asked about the events, he told NBC News, “My great grandfather was at Pearl Harbor, and a lot of my family has ... gone and fought in wars, and I really haven’t done a damn thing as far as laying myself on the line like that.”
He and his brother were deployed in 2003 as part of the 2003 invasion of Iraq. The next year he was redeployed. On April 22, 2008 Corporal Pat Tillman was killed by "friendly fire."
The eulogies have been numerous and the controversies over the handling of his death are plentiful. One could choose to become mired in the awful tragedy that was his death or celebrate the inspiration that was his life. Here in Arizona, we're doing the latter.
On April 22 people will be gathering for this year's edition of Pat's Run. Over 15,000 people will converge to celebrate Number 42 by running or walking 4.2 miles. Proceeds will go to the Pat Tillman Foundation. Among the good things this organization are these: scholarships, community service, and Leadership Through Action™ Program.
Pat- we miss you- but your legacy lives on in Tempe, San Jose and throughout this great nation.
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Great to hear this. Did you ever wonder how many spoiled, fat, lazy Americans would have done this?
Not many John. But plenty of somewhat fat, slightly lazy people will be running or walking in the coming weekend. Pat's Run is like a living tribute to the idea of taking action and pursuing life to its fullest.
John The only answer would be "0". The following year when the Cardinals came to Seattle, I met my brother at the stadium as I usually do every year. He saw that I was wearing a flag ribbon on my lapel. And asked if he could have it...so I let him, since I knew that I could get another. He is the Equipment (working) manager and new Pat well. I didn't really understand it that much. I was the one that joined the Air Force and he went to college. I think he was enlightened to the reality. Commitement and Loyalty are a hard thing to find these days, unfortunately.
Thanks Chuck for the memory reminder, I didn't forget, just moved it back, and you brought it back up front.
Chuck- thanks for coming by the blog. I'm from an Air Force family... and as such tend to look at the military through my own lens. I'm heartened by how many people commemorate this individual, as well as others who've shown dedication and commitment- though events like these.
Great post, Chuck - Pat left a legacy that is greater than any football exploits. It isn't what you leave on a tombstone that counts, it is the memories and the inspiration one leaves in the minds of others.
Kent- Pat was a very interesting person. He certainly had his own internal motivations that superseded anything related to image or riches. I'm so glad that his story is not lost for future generations.
Chuck I have two sons that have served over seas. In fact Pat died shortly after one of my sons was deployed over there. As a mother I can never express how I feel about my own children being deployed. I can only imagine what it was like for the Tillman family. Thanks for bringing this to the forefront again.
Nannette- I want to thank your sons for their devotion to our country- such valor needs to be recognized... thank them for me.