Apr
23
2004
war and loss
Pat Tillman, Army Ranger and former Arizona Cardinals safety, died recently in Afghanistan. Tillman, also an Arizona State alum, left the Cardinals in 2002 to join the Army with his younger brother.
- The Arizona Republic: “Pat Tillman killed in Afghanistan” (04/23/04)
- Washington Post: “Former NFL Safety Is Killed in Afghanistan” (04/23/04)
Out of all the stories that have come out of the “war on terrorism” so far, Tillman’s is probably one of the most touching (for me, at least). Beyond just the local Arizona connections, I think I was especially awed by his willingness to give up his NFL career to follow a cause he felt was noble. And he seemed to do his best not to make a big show of it, trying to duck media coverage as much as possible. He seemed like a good, honorable guy, with heartfelt convictions. It’s a sad day.
![[Photo]](http://photos.morethanthis.net/images/2008-09-13/thumbs/IMG_0272.jpg)
Comments
I agree, this is one of the more moving stories to come out of this whole mess. I’m not going to parrot the same stuff we’re all hearing on the news - but, I am truly impressed. Something I find equally newsworthy is that his brother is still over there doing the same thing he was.
I don’t know if this has happened to anyone else, but I get a little embarrassed reading about Tillman. He gave up a lot to serve his country, and I’ve done nothing. Granted, I took a different path in life, but worrying about some of the stuff I worry about seems rather petty and pointless in the light of something like this.
I have a true admiration for Tillman - and indeed for all of those that put themselves in harm’s way - but to make the extreme choice that he did is a measure that deserves recognition - and maybe even the label of “hero.”