The NFL’s Lonely Hero [ Pat Tillman ]

American Spectator ^ | 12/4/2003 | Paul Beston

[ClintonBeGone]

Watching football on Thanksgiving weekend reminded me of younger days when the NFL was a passion of mine. In recent years it has become more of a diversionary interest, and I no longer know who is who, or which teams are the ones to beat. While the league is still blessed with some admirable players, the ones I tend to remember now, unfortunately, are those who behave notoriously off the field or insufferably on it. But sitting among family on the holiday, I happily remembered Pat Tillman, the best story the NFL has had in many years.

Pat Tillman was the starting strong safety for the Arizona Cardinals when the 9/11 attacks occurred. He played out the 2001 season and then with his brother Kevin, a former minor league baseball player, enlisted in the Army Rangers. In doing so, Tillman walked away from a three-year, $3.6 million dollar contract with the Cardinals for an $18,000 salary and plentiful opportunities to get his head shot off. That hasn't happened yet, and God willing it won't. But the pay cut kicked in right away.

Some Internet surfing revealed that the Tillman brothers are currently deployed somewhere in the Middle East with the elite 75th Ranger Regiment. On the weekend before Thanksgiving, the brothers spoke briefly with their parents, who do not know where they are or what mission they are pursuing. They do know that their sons were in Iraq in the spring during the height of the fighting, and that this summer they were briefly stateside at Fort Lewis in Tacoma, Washington.

Outside of an ESPY award earlier this year and the occasional column, Tillman's story has gotten little press, but it's not all the media's fault. For one thing, as Tillman's parents well know, there is precious little information. For another, the Tillmans have not granted a single interview since their enlistment. Apparently determined that their endeavor not be construed as self-aggrandizing or insincere, they have simply done what they said they would do -- leave behind the fantasy world of sports to serve their country.

It would be a remarkable story in any time, but in a more cynical age it is nothing short of breathtaking. Imagine a 26-year old American male, talented enough to play in the National Football League and earn millions of dollars, leaving because he felt he had more important things to do. What could be more important than riches and fame? Why sacrifice when our culture so often portrays sacrifice as the preserve of misfits and losers? For many observers, Tillman's decision had to have an explanation more rational, and less abstract, than mere nobility.

Certainly that was the attitude of Tillman's former teammate Simeon Rice, who now plays with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Rice suggested that Tillman might be joining the army because he wasn't a very good football player anyway. While Tillman was not an All-Pro, he did set a Cardinals team record with 224 tackles in 2000. Even if Rice's charge were true, it takes an especially small person to voice such a thought publicly. But then the NFL happens to be densely populated with such men, including Rice's Tampa Bay teammate, the repulsive Warren Sapp.

In his inability to understand Tillman's patriotism, Rice no doubt spoke for many of his NFL colleagues. His incomprehension was further in evidence when, prompted by an interviewer, he acknowledged that his former teammate's decision was "admirable." Did Rice belatedly realize that it was patriotism -- one of the oldest virtues -- that had motivated Tillman? Of course not:

"Maybe it was the Rambo movies?" he asked. "Maybe it's Sylvester Stallone and Rocky?"

Right. If it isn't pure self-interest, then it must be unadulterated fantasy. Such is the mentality of a good portion of professional athletes today, particularly in the NFL, a once-proud league now overrun by exhibitionists whose constant preening is often difficult to distinguish from professional wrestling.

While media coverage of the Tillman story has been very positive, a subtle "wait and see" attitude prevails in some of the pieces that have been written, as if some revelation about a big-bucks contract, or perhaps a movie deal, will surface sooner or later to compromise his decision. The "mystery" some commentators see in Tillman's actions is almost certainly the result of his refusal to grant interviews; if he would only sit for a weepy tell-all, all of their doubts could be put to rest.

For most normal people, though, the story is pretty simple -- somewhere in the Middle East, Pat Tillman is serving the United States because he believes it is his duty. Meanwhile, back in the NFL, a contingent of helmeted narcissists -- Rice, Sapp, Jeremy Shockey, take your pick -- grow rich. The closest any of them will come to war is in the numbing military metaphors that have long been part of the repertoire of NFL players, coaches and broadcasters.

Pat Tillman knows where the real war is, which is why he left the fake one behind. If he decides to return to football when his three-year tour of duty is up, he would have the impact of a human disinfectant on the NFL. And his fellow players would owe him their gratitude -- even Simeon Rice, assuming he can reach that high.

[ClintonBeGone]

Wonderful article about Pat.

[ClintonBeGone]

Something I posted on another Tillman thread that I stole from a writer at National Review:

"One of my co-workers just asked how Pat Tillman's sacrifice might prompt the Rangels and Hagels to rethink the notion that only the poor, employment-challenged people are dying for their country."

[NativeTxn]

Thank you Pat for giving your life for something that really mattered. You will always be a great HERO to me.

[ClintonBeGone]

This guy had to be fun to go out and have a beer with, don't you think?

[L.N. Smithee]

"One of my co-workers just asked how Pat Tillman's sacrifice might prompt the Rangels and Hagels to rethink the notion that only the poor, employment-challenged people are dying for their country."

Good point! Worth repeating!

[Delbert]

Cool Read, thanks for posting. Pat Tillman is a true hero just as allof our troops are. God Bless our Troops!

[Delbert]

I'll bet he would have your back if someone started messing with you too.

[oldcomputerguy]

I certainly hope the Army reassigns his brother to less dangerous duty, one death in the family should be enough I think.

[marshmallow]

Lots of NFL players are now serving in uniform. Involuntarily of course. It's because they committed crimes and the uniforms are orange jump suits.

That's why Rice thinks Tillman is a weirdo. He's used to rubbing shoulders with the egomaniacs and self-absorbed jerks that populate most franchises.

[Bob Eimiller]

Simeon Rice (Massive LINE BREAK)

PAT TILLMAM shouldn't even be noted in the same sentence. One is a hero and one is a "preening" primadona who makes sure he gets his gluttonous share of the American freedoms and opportunities defended and preserved by legitimate heros.

Pat Tillman is now a hero for the ages.

I also want to mention the only other NFL player to Die in Combat in my lifetime... Bob Kalsu (Vietnam) Buffalo Bills offensive guard.

[nickcarraway]

Thanks

[7thson]

He was a mans man, and I know nothing about him. However, I have been on liberty to plenty of unsavory ports while in the navy and he is the kind of guy you want with you when you are in a foreign bar. His decision to enlist does not even seem a gut wrenching one - his nation called and he answered.

[Smartass]

PAT TILLMAN, an American Hero.
May Pat forever sit, next to the Lord.

[zipper]

FOOTBALL HERO KILLED IN AFGHANISTAN BATTLE

is what Drudge has as a banner across the top of his site.

Drudge has it backwards-- he isn't a hero because he played football, but because of what he did after football.

"Football hero" is an oxymoron.

 

[ken5050]

Anyone notice the other big sports story that this has eclisped today....Eli Manning doesnt' want to be drafted by the Chargers..if they choose him, he said in an emotional moment that he prepared to "sit out the season"..While it's Mannign's right to do just that, he should also feel more than a little bit petty about now...

[Valin]

FYI
A short history of Pats unit.
Formation of the 75th Ranger Regiment
by LTC JD Lock
Upon the completion of the Arab-Israeli Yom Kippur War in 1973, the Pentagon grew concerned about the United State's strategic ability to quickly move well-trained infantry forces to any spot in the world. In the fall of 1973, General Creighton Abrams, Chief of Staff of the United States Army, issued a charter for the formation of the 1st Battalion (Ranger), 75th Infantry Regiment.

The battalion is to be an elite, light, and the most proficient infantry in the world. A battalion that can do things with its hands and weapons better than anyone. The battalion will contain no "hoodlums or brigands" and if the battalion is formed from such persons, it will be disbanded. Wherever the battalion goes, it must be apparent that it is the best.

The 1st Battalion (Ranger) was ordered activated on 25 January 1974, with an effective date of 31 January. Initially, Fort Stewart, Georgia, was considered home. In 1978/1979, the battalion moved to Hunter Army Airfield (HAAF) in Savannah, Georgia. To initially man this battalion and to serve as its nucleus, the men and equipment of Company A, 75th Infantry of the 1st Cavalry Division were transferred and the company eventually inactivated on 19 December 1974. The new battalion was assigned the heritage of the Vietnam era Company C (Ranger).

The 2nd Battalion (Ranger) was activated on 1 October 1974 and stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington. The men and equipment of Company B, 75th Infantry of the 5th Infantry Division (Mech) were transferred and the company deactivated on 1 November 1974. This second battalion was assigned the heritage of Company H (Airmobile Ranger), 75th Infantry Regiment.

In 1975, the Ranger black beret became only the third officially sanctioned U.S. Army beret. Literally centuries of lineage and battle honors were symbolized by the unique Ranger beret. Though little more than a dark piece of cloth to some, to those who serve as Rangers, the beret is representative of personal courage and selfless sacrifice. It is a symbol to be earned, not issued.

Following the invasion of Grenada during Operation Urgent Fury, the most recent Ranger battalion addition, the 3rd Ranger Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment was reactivated on 3 October 1984 and stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia, with its World War II heritage to serve as its lineage.

To control the three Ranger battalions, a regimental headquarters was needed, thus leading to the formation and activation of the 75th Ranger Regiment on the same day as the activation of the 3rd Battalion. Colonel Wayne A. Downing was selected as the first colonel of the Ranger Regiment...though he is technically and officially titled the third after the ceremonial commanders Rogers and Darby.

In the 1990s, Chief of Staff of the Army, General Gordon R. Sullivan, would develop his own charter for the Ranger Regiment that included... "The Regiment must remain capable of fighting anytime, anywhere, against any enemy, and winning."

With the formation and activation of the Special Forces Operations Command, the lineage and honors of the Second World War Ranger Battalions, the Korean Conflict Rangers, and the Vietnam Conflict Rangers were rightfully transferred on 3 February 1986 to the 75th Ranger Regiment.




http://www.armyranger.com/mod.php?mod=userpage&page_id=55&menu=
Ranger History © JD Lock. Used with permission.

[RetiredArmy]

Quick, Mr. Rice! Spell patriot; warrior; American; hero; honorable man; sacrifice; duty; honor; country. Can you spell any of those you stupid fool. Keep your stupid mouth shut. All you can spell is women, beer, partying.

[Ciexyz]

I am saddened by this loss. Tillman was a true hero. It makes ya humble to read his story.

[Blessed]

It's interesting that the boys over on DU are using this as an opportunity to deligitamize the service of those in IRAQ.They say"at least he didn't die in vain because he was in Affganistan.I wisk they would tell me again how they support the troops.

[Smartass]

A Prayer for Pat Tillman, and all of our fallen Heros.

A Soldier's Prayer

Almighty Father, Whose Command is over all and Whose
Love never faileth,
let me be aware of Thy presence and obedient to Thy will.
Keep me true to my best self, guarding me against dishonesty
in purpose and in deed, and helping me so to soldier and to live
so as to stand unashamed and unafraid before my fellow soldiers,
my loved ones, and Thee.
Protect those in whose love I live.
Give me the will to do the work of a man and to accept my share
of responsibilities with a strong heart and a cheerfulmind.
Make me considerate of those entrusted to my leadership
and faithful to the duties my country has entrusted to me.
Let my uniform remind me daily of the traditions
of the Service of which I am a part.
If I am inclined to doubt, steady my faith;
if I am tempted, make me strong to resist;
if I should miss the mark, bestow upon me courage to try again.
Guide me with the light of Thy truth ~ and keep before me the life of
Him in Whose example and deliverance I trust.
In the name of my Lord,
Amen.

~ Authored by an unknown World War II U.S. Navy Serviceman