Pat Tillman, American Hero
Introducing my superhero...
Pat Tillman (1976-2004)
Pat Tillman was always an excellent athlete and leader. He led his high school to the Central Coast Division I Football Championship. Later, he went on to Arizona State University on a football scholarship.
At ASU, Tillman was not just a stand out football player, he was also an excellent student. He helped his team go undefeated and make it to the 1997 Rose Bowl. He was the ASU most valuable player in 1997 and as a student he won the Clyde B. Smith Academic Award in both 1996 and 1997, the Sporting News Honda Scholar Athlete of the Year in 1997, and he was named the 1998 Sun Angel Student Athlete of The Year.
Tillman went on to play in the NFL for the Arizona Cardinals. He was a stand out in the NFL and earned a handsome salary.
But the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 changed everything for Tillman. He felt so passionately about defending his country after the attack that he decided to leave his NFL career on hold to join the U.S. Army with his younger brother Kevin. Before leaving for the military, Tillman married his high school sweetheart, Marie.
The Tillman brothers became Army Rangers and were assigned to the 75th Ranger Regiment in Fort Lewis, Washington. Later, Pat Tillman went to Iraq for Operation Iraq Freedom and then later went on to Afghanistan to serve in Operation Enduring Freedom. Tillman was killed defending what he believed in on April 22, 2004. Originally, there were discrepancies in the details of Tillmans death.It was later realized that Tillman tragically died as a result of friendly fire.
Tillman was posthumously awarded the Silver Star and the Purple Heart and both Arizona State University and the Arizona Cardinals retired his jersey number.
I respect Pat Tillman and feel that he is an excellent role model. Tillman worked hard in school and on the field, always striving to get better and never being satisfied with just getting by. But what I really respect about Tillman is that he walks the walk. He felt so strongly about defending his country that he left a lucrative career and made the ultimate sacrifice in defending freedom.
Pat Tillman Highlight Video
Pat Tillman Tribute
Politics aside..this man was a role model for all. Update: Unfortunately I did not make this. I found this a couple years back, didn't see it on Youtube, so I decided to upload and share. Enjoy~
Runtime: 6:50
31546 views
10 Comments:
Pat Tillman Jersey
Reebok Arizona Cardinals Pat Tillman Replica Team Color Jersey
Amazon Price: (as of 10/11/2008)
List Price: $74.99
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Important Links About Pat Tillman
- Pat Tillman Foundation
- The Pat Tillman Foundation was created by Pat's family and friends, following his death in April 2004. As a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization, the Foundation's goal and mission is to carry forward Pat's legacy by inspiring people to make positive changes in themselves and in the world around them.
- The My Hero Project - Pat Tillman
- If we can't all be Pat Tillmans, we can at least make sure we don't forget him. In a perfect world, men like Pat Tillman would never die. They would live forever as symbols of sacrifice and profiles in courage.
- Pat Tillman filled the combat boots of a true hero
- Before former football player Pat Tillman was killed in action in Afghanistan, I had never heard his name before, much less anything about the unselfish motive he had for going into the military in the first place.
Kevin and Pat Tillman
Fields of Honor: The Pat Tillman Story
Fields of Honor: The Pat Tillman Story
Amazon Price: (as of 10/11/2008)
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"Pat Tillman's loyalty, bravery, and sense of sacrifice for his country and his fellow man, along with his relentless drive to achieve-make that overachieve-found him..."
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I've Got Things To Do With My Life: Pat Tillman And The Making Of An American Hero
I've Got Things To Do With My Life: Pat Tillman And The Making Of An American Hero
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List Price: $19.95
Pat Tillman never backed down from a challenge; in fact, he sought them out his entire life. That life ended tragically and heroically in Afghanistan in April 2004, after Tillman quit the National Football League to join the elite Army Rangers and serve his country in its war against terrorism. I've Got Things to Do with My Life is the inspirational story of Tillman's incredible, heroic journey.
Pat Tillman Pictures
Pat Tillman left the Arizona Cardinals in 2002 to become an Army Ranger. He was...
Pat Tillman left the Arizona Cardinals in 2002 to become an Army Ranger. He was...
Pat Tillman Sports Illustrated Cover
Is this Pat Tillman your superhero too?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byYou bet. Great pick.
KimGiancaterino says:
Yes, along with every other soldier protecting our freedom.
Posted July 07, 2008
No. Please pass the peas.
If you have any suggestions
for this page
I'm looking for suggestions for more good articles, photos, videos, blog posts, etc about this person. Think of this like the "External Resources" part of a Wikipedia page. What references would you add about my superhero?
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KimGiancaterino
Pat Tillman is a wonderful choice for Superhero. My Squid Angel Blessing to you. Posted July 07, 2008 |
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Susan52
Each of our troops is a hero, including my two sons and my nephew. Pat Tillman paid the ultimate price and it is an honor to honor him in order to remember those who have served and are serving our country. Posted July 01, 2008 |
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JanaMurray
This is my absolute Favorite! 10 stars! Posted June 27, 2008 |
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Comfortdoc
Thank you for joining the Squidoo Superhero group. A great tribute lens to a hero. Posted June 15, 2008 |
Pat Tillman In The News
- Tillman shares her grief in new book
- By Robert S. Hong, Staff Writer Mary Tillman, the mother of US Ranger and former NFL player Pat Tillman, signs copies of book, 'Boots On The Ground By Dusk ...
- Mother of slain soldier Pat Tillman to speak at library
- ARCADIA -- The mother of slain Army soldier Pat Tillman will host a discussion and sign her new book at the Arcadia Public Library at 7 pm on Wednesday. ...
- For Stafford, hockey is an afterthought
- Anything - like the tragic circumstances surrounding the death of former NFL star Pat Tillman, who was killed in Afghanistan by friendly fire after a ...
- Stafford ships out
- He entered medical school but shortly after decided to enter the armed forces, much the way the late NFL Arizona Cardinal player Pat Tillman did. ...
P.S. I made this lens for the Squidoo Superheroes Project
I was invited to participate in the Squidoo Superhero Project, making 5 lenses in 2 weeks about the people who have inspired me, mentored me, changed the way I look at the world. The people I just want to say a big loud public THANKS to.If you buy anything from this page, you'll automatically (for free, of course) be sending a royalty straight to the Squidoo Charity Fund, which pays out to nonprofits like JDRF and Room to Read and Donors Choose every month.
