Ex-NFL player Tillman killed in Iraq

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Fri Apr 23, 2004 11:41 am

The death of any soldier in Iraq is sad, but this one is particularly sad because most of us know Pat Tillman's story about leaving his NFL career to serve in the Armed Forces.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4815441/

Like all the soldiers over there, Tillman is a hero. He showed great balls and commitment to give up a lucrative lifestyle to serve his country, paying the ultimate price.

Take care,
PK

TCrouch · Post by **TCrouch** » Fri Apr 23, 2004 11:44 am

Un-f*cking-believable.

I had a nice long post typed up, but deleted it. Guaranteed something in it would be twisted or taken the wrong way, so all I'll say is "Unbelievable".

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Fri Apr 23, 2004 12:18 pm

No individual death over there is sadder or a greater loss than any other casualty.

Let's just hope that all these sacrifices (don't forget the thousands of serious injuries) turn out in the end to make a difference. We won't know for years if this war has made a difference.

einmanXP · Post by **einmanXP** » Fri Apr 23, 2004 12:25 pm

Horrible,
Reading this story and all the others about all of our solider heros makes me feel really like a clutz working my stupid 9-5 and playing video games. I hope soliders realize that they <u>ARE</u> really appreciated, regardless of the politics of their job.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Fri Apr 23, 2004 12:44 pm

That really sucks. I knew the guy. He and my sister were good friends back at ASU. In fact, my sisters husband played on the same team (Brian Williams, Center, ASU) as him. That really f'n sucks. I need to call my sis right now. I bet she hasn't heard.

In fact, now that I have called her, Brian actually lived with him for his freshman year.

Zeppo · Post by **Zeppo** » Fri Apr 23, 2004 12:47 pm

Actually he was killed in Afghanistan, not Iraq.

I realize they are not as far away from each other as the continental US is from either of them, but still they are entirely different places and entirely different conflicts.

I had a huge amount of respect for the guy for doing what he did. I can only hope his family is OK, and that they will receive the support they need as they deal with their loss.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Fri Apr 23, 2004 1:07 pm

Zep:

Thanks for the clarification. When the story first move this morning as a three-grapher, it said Tillman was killed in Iraq.

Either place, it's a shame, as is the death of any soldier in those conflicts.

Take care,
PK

Post by **Jared** » Fri Apr 23, 2004 1:17 pm

Yeah...I've got a lot of respect for him too. Going from a multi-million dollar contract to go join the Army while still at a prime age to play football...amazing.

Neckthai · Post by **Neckthai** » Fri Apr 23, 2004 2:12 pm

Thoughts and prayers to the Tillman family.

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Fri Apr 23, 2004 2:20 pm

I for one shall raise at least one glass for Mr. Tillman this evening, and another for all those in the service.

Rangers lead the way!

Senator McCain's statement, which I believe is quite moving.

-------------------

I am heartbroken today by the news of Pat Tillman's death. The tragic loss of this extraordinary young man will seem a heavy blow to our nation's morale, as it is surely a grievous injury to his loved ones.

Many American families have suffered the same terrible sacrifice that Pat's family must now bear, and the patriotism that their loved ones' exemplified is as fine and compelling as Pat's. But there is in Pat Tillman's example, in his unexpected choice of duty to his country over the riches and other comforts of celebrity, and in his humility, such an inspiration to all of us to reclaim the essential public-spiritedness of Americans that many of us, in low moments, had worried was no longer our common distinguishing trait.

When Pat made his choice to leave the NFL and became an Army Ranger, he declined requests for interviews because he viewed his decision as no more patriotic than that of his less fortunate, less renowned countrymen who loved our country enough to volunteer to defend her in a time of peril. It is that first lesson of patriotism that we should reaffirm in our own lives as we celebrate the courageous life and mourn the heroic death of this most honorable American.

cbird · Post by **cbird** » Fri Apr 23, 2004 2:27 pm

god bless him and his family along with all those who serve and those who have lost their lives. they will never be forgotton.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Fri Apr 23, 2004 3:23 pm

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=1788232

A worthy read. A tragic loss.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Fri Apr 23, 2004 3:42 pm

Did Tillman enlist after 9/11?

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Fri Apr 23, 2004 3:47 pm

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Fri Apr 23, 2004 5:06 pm

Sad day.

Great man. As is every man/woman who volunteers his life to serve his or her country. They are all very special.

TrojanMan · Post by **TrojanMan** » Fri Apr 23, 2004 5:29 pm

This is really sad. Funny, I was just thinking about this last week - if Tillman was still over there or not, as I hadn't heard anything else about him since he joined. Here's a guy who chose to put up AND shut up - a rare example that makes you take a look at yourself in the mirror.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Fri Apr 23, 2004 5:58 pm

There will udoubtedly be a movie made about his life, as there should be. I could almost guarantee the major networks are already jumping all over this, or even perhaps a major film company. It's rather ironic while he wanted to serve his company with not much acclaim, there is certainly going to be a buzz of media surrounding this story.

seanmac · Post by **seanmac** » Fri Apr 23, 2004 6:00 pm

Poor Pat. What a disastrous decision on his part.

I wonder if the Cardinals will do the right thing and christen their new stadium Tillman Field, or if they'll sell out and slap on a corporate name. Wait, why am I even asking?

Get ready for Yahoo stadium.

BBReBozo · Post by **BBReBozo** » Fri Apr 23, 2004 6:01 pm

sportdan30 wrote:There will udoubtedly be a movie made about his life, as there should be. I could almost guarantee the major networks are already jumping all over this, or even perhaps a major film company. It's rather ironic while he wanted to serve his company with not much acclaim, there is certainly going to be a buzz of media surrounding this story.

Yes, I get the impression this is the last thing on earth Tillman would want to happen. The guy refused to give interviews after enlisting - preferring anonymity - and now we have to watch Dean Cain or some other douchewhack portray this guy's life in a mangeable, uplifting two-hour dose brought to you by Daimler-Chrysler.

Count me out.

Teal · Post by **Teal** » Fri Apr 23, 2004 6:24 pm

"Poor Pat. What a disastrous decision on his part."

I'll give you the benefit of the doubt, sean, but that doesn't sound good at all. Pat is the epitome of what an American Hero is. This is a guy who took it upon himself to see a need, get off his ass (and stay off his high horse, I might add), and DID something. He paid the ultimate sacrifice, and he knew full well the costs. This man, along with all the other soldiers who give of themselves for us (no matter what our political persuasion) and our freedoms, deserve the highest honor we can give them. To do any less is unthinkable. Rest easy, Pat...you've earned the right, and a grateful country salutes you...

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Fri Apr 23, 2004 7:04 pm

I can't question the man's motives.

Even if he enlisted for a war we don't all believe in, at least that's more than all the people waving the flags and talking about other people's sacrifices.

He acted while others were mere warmongers.

I do think patriotism and nationalism should have some limits. Throughout history, rich and old men send other people's sons to battle and there has to be a certain level of deception for this to work.

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Fri Apr 23, 2004 7:09 pm

Is the need to get political that strong?

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Fri Apr 23, 2004 7:13 pm

wco81 wrote:I can't question the man's motives.
He acted while others were mere warmongers.

I do think patriotism and nationalism should have some limits. Throughout history, rich and old men send other people's sons to battle and there has to be a certain level of deception for this to work.

Patriotism and nationalism should have limits, as should dissent. When either causually uses demagoguery to advance its goals it needs to be checked.

Warmongering is a loaded term, the implication of which I find disgusting given the circumstances which led to the war in which Tillman was killed.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Fri Apr 23, 2004 7:17 pm

I understand Tillman joined the military in response to 9/11 and served in Afghanistan.

I shouldn't have brought up warmongering in connection with his service because it was the other, later war where warmongering occurred, where erroneous claims were made and attempts were made to draw a connection to 9/11 which didn't exist.

seanmac · Post by **seanmac** » Fri Apr 23, 2004 7:24 pm

tealboy03 wrote:"Poor Pat. What a disastrous decision on his part."

I'll give you the benefit of the doubt, sean, but that doesn't sound good at all. Pat is the epitome of what an American Hero is. This is a guy who took it upon himself to see a need, get off his ass (and stay off his high horse, I might add), and DID something. He paid the ultimate sacrifice, and he knew full well the costs. This man, along with all the other soldiers who give of themselves for us (no matter what our political persuasion) and our freedoms, deserve the highest honor we can give them. To do any less is unthinkable. Rest easy, Pat...you've earned the right, and a grateful country salutes you...

Before his decision, he was a young, rich, famous, well-off and universally liked guy. Now he's rotting in a box. If there's a more apt description of a disastrous decision, I don't know what it is.

Really, the epitome of an American Hero and the ultimate sacrifice and the saluting and whatever other cliche you choose to tote out is to make the living feel better about things. The guy is still dead.