Pat Tillman: An American Hero

On Friday, America will celebrate Veterans Day, honoring all of those who have served our country. Today we honor Pat Tillman, on his birthday. 35 years ago today, one of the most patriotic and brave American figures of our time entered the world. After a successful high school career, Tillman was recruited to play for Arizona State University. While at Arizona, Tillman was consistently recognized for his athletic and academic abilities. Tillman was the bedrock of the the ASU defense of the late 90s, who went to the 1997 Rose Bowl. In the 1998 NFL draft, Pat Tillman got the call that young football players, everywhere dream of receiving. Pat Tillman was headed to the NFL, as a member of the Arizona Cardinals. When the American forces invaded Afghanistan, in response to the 9/11 Twin Tower bombings, Pat Tillman abandoned his professional career to serve his country, and enlisted himself into the army. Two years later, Tillman was killed on April 22,2004. Pat was only 27. The nation, along with the football world, was shocked to see this iconic athlete dead. At first, it appeared that he was killed in combat. It was later uncovered, that he was supposedly killed in friendly fire with a fellow soldier. Whether or not, he was killed fighting for our country. Pat Tillman was a hero, on and off the field. Pat Tillman will go down in history, as an example of love and pride of America and self sacrifice, as he not only offered up his life for his country, but he gave up the luxuries of being an NFL player.
RIP #40