Great T-Mag column on the T-man of the year, ASU grad Pat Tillman. This guy is a huge inspiration and a true hero. What a bad ass.
In June 2002, 25-year-old starting safety Pat Tillman, at the height of his physical abilities and with an impressive NFL career still ahead of him, turned down a 3-year, $3.6 million contract with the Arizona Cardinals to pursue a career in the U.S. Army.
Some people shook their heads in disbelief, wondering why a young man would turn down an opportunity to make so much money. But for Tillman, money always was secondary to loyalty. Two years earlier, he declined a $9 million contract offer from the St. Louis Rams, a team much more successful on the field than Tillman’s Cardinals. His only statement? Tillman said he was happy where he was. This latest career move is a continuation of that same sense of loyalty — this time, to his country instead of his team.
Tillman’s choice came at a time when battles were raging in Afghanistan and war with Iraq was looming on the horizon. With his sights set on joining the Army Rangers, combat is almost certainly in his future. So why would a young man with a future of wealth and fame, not to mention a new wife, put his life at risk? He won’t say. In classic T-Man fashion, Pat Tillman doesn’t feel the need to justify his choices to the public — he refuses interviews and has sworn his family to media silence.
In June 2002, 25-year-old starting safety Pat Tillman, at the height of his physical abilities and with an impressive NFL career still ahead of him, turned down a 3-year, $3.6 million contract with the Arizona Cardinals to pursue a career in the U.S. Army.
Some people shook their heads in disbelief, wondering why a young man would turn down an opportunity to make so much money. But for Tillman, money always was secondary to loyalty. Two years earlier, he declined a $9 million contract offer from the St. Louis Rams, a team much more successful on the field than Tillman’s Cardinals. His only statement? Tillman said he was happy where he was. This latest career move is a continuation of that same sense of loyalty — this time, to his country instead of his team.
Tillman’s choice came at a time when battles were raging in Afghanistan and war with Iraq was looming on the horizon. With his sights set on joining the Army Rangers, combat is almost certainly in his future. So why would a young man with a future of wealth and fame, not to mention a new wife, put his life at risk? He won’t say. In classic T-Man fashion, Pat Tillman doesn’t feel the need to justify his choices to the public — he refuses interviews and has sworn his family to media silence.
posted by Champion at 11:14 PM
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