Seven years ago, the world lost a great man in Pat Tillman. Chances are you know the story behind Tillman's death, but today, I want to write a post commemorating Pat as a man.
Right now, the NFL is going through one of its most childish and juvenile stages. Players are complaining about the monetary size of their contracts, and as a result, a lockout seems imminent. If Pat was alive today, everyone has an idea of what he would think regarding the lockout. Tillman was a man of action, a man who wanted to get things done. "The decisions he made in life, not one was about money. He would be: 'Just let's get this crap done, we're entertainers.", one-time teammate Zach Walz said.
It is exceedingly rare that a man stays loyal to his values when fame and fortune are flashed in front of his eyes. In his life and his football career, Tillman exemplified a man of virtue. First, he remained loyal to his high school sweetheart Marie even though they went to different colleges. As a college football star, Pat could have dated any pretty girl on campus, but he chose to remain faithful to Marie. Second, Pat turned down a five-year, $9 million contract offer from the St. Louis Rams at one point in his NFL career out of loyalty to the Arizona Cardinals. Pat reasoned that because the Cardinals were the only team willing to give him a chance in the NFL draft, he should remain loyal to them. Finally, Pat turned down a multi-million dollar contract and enlisted in the United States Army in June 2002 in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks.
The media and government have sensationalized Pat Tillman in an unfortunate turn of events. The military manipulated his tragic death and used it as a propaganda tool. Certain officials within the Bush administration realized the publicity value of Tillman's status, and then lied to the family about how he was killed. The important message here is that if left unchecked, a country can unethically manipulate death for its own purposes.
Pat with his brothers, Kevin and Richard.
After I read Where Men Win Glory: The Odyssey of Pat Tillman, Pat immediately became a role model of mine. When I was still in grade school, the news of Tillman's death broke. I vaguely remember hearing about it on the news, but until last year, I never knew about Pat as a man. Today, I want to honor Pat, the human being. We can join the efforts of the Tillman family to remember Pat as an individual, not a political prop. He was a true hero, and the sensationalized version of Pat needs to be recognized for what it is- deception, falsehood, and a lie. Pat's name has been used as a pawn by those who support the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq as well as those who despise them. This is just wrong.
In many ways, Pat lived by the same principles that motivate me. According to his family and wife, he was a fiercely independent thinker and an avid reader. He lived with intensity, and his actions were guided by a strong sense of honesty and integrity.
From Left- Pat's Father, Patrick. Pat's Mother, Mary. Pat's wife, Marie.
Last weekend, a race was run in Pat's name at Arizona State (his alma mater). It's called Pat's Run, and 28,000 people showed up at Sun Devil Stadium to run the 4.2 mile race for Pat, who wore number 42 as an ASU linebacker. The money raised from the event goes to the Pat Tillman Foundation, and eventually, that money will go toward college scholarships for returning soldiers.
Our society is in desperate need of individuals not swayed by money, sex, and power. In an age where the potential for unethical behavior is extraordinary, we need to remember the people who were not afraid to forego materialistic comfort and do the right things. Pat Tillman is one of these individuals, and through the work of his family, friends, and supporters, his unique approach to life will never be forgotten.
