Pat Tillman

by Alex from San Diego

(www.dailymail.co.uk ())

"'Somewhere inside, we hear a voice. It leads us in the direction of the person we wish to become. But it is up to us whether or not follow.' -Pat Tillman"("Pat Tillman"). In a perfect world, Pat Tillman would never die. No hero would. They would enjoy a life of peace and happiness as they get older, and not have to think about getting killed. Pat Tillman was a professional football player, but he is known for his actions off the football field and n the battlefield. Tillman left a 3.6 million dollar contract in the NFL so he could protect our country. While he was a king on the field, he was a huge impact off. after the attacks of September 11, 2001, Tillman "Said that the event made him feel guilty for attaching importance to a career in football" ("Pat Tillman"). He finished the season, married his high school sweetheart, and enlisted in the Army with his brother. Pat Tillman was born in San Jose, California, and died in Afghanistan in 2004. He attended Arizona State University, and was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in 1998. Pat Tillman was born on November 6, 1976. He started his college career in football in 1994 at Arizona State. After a successful career at ASU, Tillman was drafted in 1998. In May 2002, a few months after the 9/11 attacks, Tillman left the NFL to enlist in the Army Rangers. Tillman died on April 22, 2004. To me, a hero must possess the characteristics of a courageous and determined man who is willing to sacrifice for others. Pat Tillman possesses the characteristics of a hero, as he courageous through war, and dealing with the press, determined to protect his country, and willing to sacrifice his life to protect others.

(blog.oregonlive.com ())

One of the reasons people think Pat Tillman is a hero is because he is courageous throughout his career in the army, and in football.

Pat Tillman was just a normal NFL player during the year of 2001. He was having a solid career, leading his team in tackles in the 2001 season. "On September 11, 2001, Tillman witnessed live news coverage of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City. The next day, in a public interview, Tillman said that the event made him feel guilty for attaching importance to a career in football. He finished the rest of the season with the Cardinals, married his high school sweetheart, Marie Ugenti, and subsequently enlisted in the Army Rangers with his brother"("Pat Tillman"). Pat Tillman was courageous because he enlisted in the Army shortly after 9/11. He could have continued his career in the NFL, earning more money than most, but he wanted to protect his country. Pat Tillman is remembered by many for his story. The NFL remembers him. "Pat, and his story, should be enshrined in the NFL Hall of Fame as a testimonial to the humanity, the sacrifice and enduring spirit exemplified in the life of this NFL star, this all-American hero, this Army Ranger who was just doing his job in harm's way"(Kemp). This proves that Pat Tillman was one of the most brave people because he shows the spirit of a true American, just doing his job protecting his country. Pat Tillman is courageous in many people's minds, and hopefully many will follow his model.

Secondly, Pat Tillman is viewed as a hero is because he was determined to protect his family and his country. Mr. Tillman was also viewed as a great public speaker. In one of his answers shortly after his decision to leave for the Army, he said this quote. "'Sports embodied many of the qualities I deem meaningful. However, these last few years, and especially after recent events, I've come to appreciate just how shallow and insignificant my role is... It's no longer important.' -Pat Tillman" ("Pat Tillman"). Tillman had a promising football career ahead of him, but he told the press that football is not important compared to protecting this country. He was determined to get out to the battlefield and protect his family and friends. Pat Tillman was so determined to help protect the United States that he traveled to Colorado to enlist, so he wouldn't have to be slowed down by the press. "...left the Arizona Cardinals to join the elite Army Rangers and did so in a way so uncharacteristic of our celebrity culture. He gave no interviews, answered no questions and even traveled to Colorado to enlist because he didn't want to stand out among his fellow Rangers and servicemen and women" (Kemp). Even though Tillman was a huge public character, he didn't want to speak about anything. Pat Tillman was determined to just go out there and protect, not just be famous for doing so. I admire Pat Tillman because of his determination to help.

(www.nj.com ())

The reason I believe Pat Tillman was a hero in many's eyes was because he sacrificed his whole life for others. Pat Tillman left his whole NFL career, his job, to join the army and sacrifice his life. "Some had a hard time believing that Tillman would give up all of the perks of being a professional athlete in order to fight for his country. Yet Tillman turned down a three-year, $3.6 million contract with the Cardinals to enlist. Before starting his military service, Tillman married his high school girlfriend Marie"("Pat Tillman"). Pat Tillman left his somewhat difficult, well earning job to join one of the most stressful, hard job and protect his family and his country. Many people refer to football players as heroes, in instances when the throw a game-winning pass or make a game-winning field goals. But those heroes compare to nothing against the real heroes, protecting our country. "How trite those words seem when juxtaposed against the sacrifice of real heroes like Tillman and my old Buffalo Bills teammate Bob Kalsu, who was killed in Vietnam in 1970, and thousands upon thousands who gave their lives at Normandy, in Vietnam and from Kabul to Baghdad"(Kemp). Pat Tillman was considered a hero in football, turning the Arizona Cardinals program around. But what he was on the field compares to nothing when he was on the battlefield. Pat Tillman is a hero to many, but mostly for his sacrifice for others. He sacrificed his whole career to make the citizens of the USA feel safe.

Because of Pat Tillman's hard work he is remembered. Tillman's determination, courageousness, and his sacrifice for others he is a hero in many people's eyes. Pat Tillman inspires me and many others because of his heart, sacrificing his life so others could live feeling safe.Pat Tillman was an American professional football player who left his career to join the military following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States"("Pat Tillman"). Pat Tillman was an inspiration to me because he had a career, well-paying in the NFL, and he left it to protect his family and his country. Many people were upset because he died so suddenly, and his death was an accident. "Pat Tillman was a public figure because of his career, and his decision to enlist put him in the public eye for new reasons, so it's easy to see why his loss, a national tragedy by its very nature"(Vizcarrando). He was not forgotten because he was a successful football player, and his decision to leave the sport and enlist in the Army. He was known for his public speaking, and that is another reason why his loss is a tragedy for many. Pat Tillman is a role model I aspire, and maybe I can follow his footsteps.

Works Cited

Kemp, Jack. "Pat Tillman: True All-American. (Cover Story)." Human Events 60.15 (2004): 1. Biography Reference Center. Web.

31 Jan. 2016.

"Pat Tillman." Gale Biography in Context. Detroit: Gale, 2004. Biography in Context. Web. 29 Jan. 2016

"Pat Tillman." Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 03 Feb. 2016.

Vizcarrando, Sara. "The Legend of Pat Tillman: Deconstructing a Military Myth." International Documentary Association. N.p.,

n.d. Web. 03 Feb. 2016

Page created on 2/15/2016 12:00:00 AM

Last edited 2/15/2016 12:00:00 AM

The beliefs, viewpoints and opinions expressed in this hero submission on the website are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs, viewpoints and opinions of The MY HERO Project and its staff.

Pat Tillman

by Alex from San Diego

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