Pat Tillman

Pat Tillman was the type of hero that most may only ever get to read about. A man who had it all, a life that most would die for, gave all of it up to protect this great country. Pat Tillman was a brave man who felt that he had a duty to fulfill for his country. Stepping from the luxurious life as an Arizona Cardinal to the fox hole life of a U.S. Army Ranger was a move that had many Americans shaken up. It is for this sole reason that Pat Tillman is my hero.

Pat Tillman was an excellent football player through high school and was accepted to Arizona State University (ASU) on a football scholarship. Upon graduating from ASU, Tillman went on to play for the Arizona Cardinals. Tillman had so much loyalty towards the Cardinals that he actually turned down a 9 million dollar contract with the St. Louis Rams in favor of a 3.6 million dollar one with the Cardinals. After the 911 attacks, Tillman decided to reject his renewal contract (he was paid 512,000/year) in favor of joining the United States Army. Tillman's brother, Kevin, was inspired by his bold move and joined the Army alongside Pat, giving up a professional baseball career in the process.

Pat Tillman was a California native, and resided in Washington State just before Ranger school. From there, Tillman was deployed twice to Iraq and was shot in the head three times and died during his second tour from friendly fire. Tillman died alongside another Ranger and an Afghan Militant, which led the government to believe that Tillman was under an ambush when he was killed. The government essentially used Tillman as the old fashioned all American poster child and when they accidentally killed him, they faced heavy scrutinizing from the people. Tillman was 27 when he died in April of 2004. A memorial in the United States infantry museum was created after his death along with an educational foundation that provides financial aid and resources to veterans who wish to partake in higher education.

Pat Tillman is my hero because of his uncanny loyalty towards what he was passionate about, from his family, to football, to his country. It is because Pat Tillman gave 110% on everything he did that I admire him greatly. Pat Tillman has had a positive effect on me in multiple ways. By learning of his story, I have become more motivated to do my best with everything I'm a part of. I have also learned from Tillman that it doesn't matter how old, rich and famous, or popular somebody is because we are all human, and the sacrifices that we make for our fellow man can be immeasurable.