Former NFL player-turned-soldier killed in Afghanistan

By Billy House
The Arizona Republic

	Pat Tillman
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Elaine Dalbo, a spokeswoman for Rep. Trent Franks, R-Ariz., a member of the House Armed Services Committee, said that committee was able to confirm Tillman's death this morning.

"Pat Tillman was an inspiration on and off the football field. As with all who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the war on terror, his family is in the thoughts and prayers of President and Mrs. Bush," said White House spokesman Taylor Gross.

The exact location of where Tillman, a U.S. Army Ranger, was killed was not yet certain. The National Football League planned a 1 p.m. news conference.

The Pat Tillman file Age: 27. College: Arizona State University. College career: Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year as a senior linebacker in 1997. Also honored as school's Male Athlete of the Year. The Academic All-American graduated with a degree in marketing in three and a half years. NFL career: Seventh-round pick by the Cardinals in 1998, converted from linebacker to safety. Started 28 games in two seasons. His 224 tackles in 2000 set a franchise single-season record. — The Arizona Republic

Tillman was assigned to the second battalion of the 75th Ranger Regiment in Fort Lewis, Washington.

Rep. J.D. Hayworth, R-Ariz., said this morning that it was his understanding that Tillman was killed in Afghanistan.

"Where do we get such men as these? Where do we find these people willing to stand up for America?" asked Hayworth. "He chose action rather than words. He just wanted to serve his country. He was a remarkable person. He lived the American dream, and he fought to preserve the American dream and our way of life."

The Army this morning was not officially announcing the death, or providing details. A representative said it does not officially comment on soldiers' deaths until all the next of kin are contacted.

When Tillman enlisted in the Army he walked away from a three-year, $3.6 million contract extension with the Cardinals. The decision drew nationwide headlines, although he did not seek the headlines, refusing to grant interviews.

Tillman made the decision after returning from his honeymoon with wife, Marie, in 2002, joining the elite Army rangers with his brother Kevin.

Tillman, born in San Jose, Calif., played college ball at Arizona State University.

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., in an interview just last week on National Public Radio last week, pointed to Tillman as an example of bravery — the topic of McCain's new book.

"He gave up over a million dollars as a safety for the Arizona Cardinals to enlist in the Army as a ranger after 9/11, and fought in Iraq," said McCain. "And it wasn't a moment of crisis or strife that motivated Pat Tillman. It was the recognition that the United States was under attack and he volunteered to defend it."

Kevin Cook, head of residential life at ASU and who knew Tillman, said he wasn't surprised when Tillman enlisted.

"It was something he would do, to be a Ranger," said Cook, who also served in Army, in 1st Cavalry, from 1985 to 1988. "He was a man of character and integrity and for the greater good."

Flags were being flown at half-staff at Arizona State University today.

Tillman reportedly had hopes of resuming his NFL career after the three-year Army commitment, in 2005.

A seventh-round pick out of ASU in 1998, Tillman was a starter in the 2000-2001 and 2001-2002 seasons.

Tillman has always marched to his own beat. Upon entering ASU, he told coach Bruce Snyder that he was not redshirting, that he had a life to pursue after four years of college. He graduated in three and a half years with a degree in marketing and a 3.84 grade-point average.

"Once he decides to do something and accomplishes it, he really likes to do more," Snyder said in 2002. "The normal routine just kills him."

In 2001, he declined to pursue a five-year, $9 million offer from the St. Louis Rams because he felt loyalty to the Cardinals' coaches, who had taken a chance on him.

As a rookie trying to make the team, Tillman rode a bicycle to the team's Tempe, Ariz., facility each day because he didn't own a car. And he refused to use a cell phone.

Tillman grew antsy in the off-seasons and wasn't content unless he was accomplishing something. In 2000, he ran a marathon. And the following year, he completed a triathlon.

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