Posted on 07/08/2002 7:02:24 AM PDT by fnord
COLUMBUS, Ga. -- Pat Tillman is ready for a different challenge from the one he normally got in the NFL playing safety for the Arizona Cardinals.
Pat Tillman played four seasons with the Arizona Cardinals.
Tillman turned down a three-year, $3.6 million contract offer from the Cardinals in May to pursue his dream of becoming a Ranger in the U.S. Army. His military pay will be about $18,000 annually.
His quest begins Monday when he begins basic training at Fort Benning, Ga., aiming for membership in the elite light infantry unit.
Tillman's decision didn't surprise longtime friends.
''Pat is the type of person who needs challenges,'' Arizona State University associate athletic director Mark Brand said. ''When I heard what he was doing, I knew it was perfect.''
The 25-year-old Tillman walked into the Cardinals headquarters a few months ago and told team owner Bill Bidwell and the coaching staff of his plan to serve his country, then simply vanished.
Tillman does things his way.
Last year, he turned down a $9 million contract offer from the St. Louis Rams because of his loyalty to the Cardinals, who chose him in the seventh round of the 1998 NFL draft.
Tillman has turned down all requests for interviews with the news media to discuss his new venture. He didn't even give an explanation to Cardinals coach Dave McGinnis.
''He said there were personal reasons he didn't want to divulge to me, and I didn't press him on it,'' McGinnis said. ''I respect his decision. I think it's honorable. It's not just a snap decision. You're dealing with a guy whose waters run pretty deep.''
Several of Tillman's friends think the Sept. 11 attacks influenced his decision.
Former Arizona State linebackers coach Lyle Setencich attended Tillman's wedding in May and talked with him about the NFL.
''He mentioned he might get out of it,'' Setencich said. ''I asked him if he wanted to go to law school and he kind of smiled and said, 'There are a lot of things I can do.' In Pat Tillman's view of the world, football is a part of it, but there are a lot of other things that are important to him.''
“ You don't find guys that have that combination of being as bright and as tough as him. This guy could go live in a foxhole for a year by himself with no food. ” — Phil Snow, talking about Pat Tillman
Tillman's goal will be difficult to achieve. Only 35 percent of all candidates get to wear the coveted black and gold Ranger Tab on their left shoulders. It's a badge of honor bestowed on those who withstand the countless push-ups, parachute drops and mortar shots that make up almost a year of training.
As a linebacker at Arizona State and a safety in the NFL, Tillman developed a reputation for fierce play characterized by crunching hits. Bored in the offseason two years ago, Tillman ran a marathon. Last year, he competed in a triathlon.
''You don't find guys that have that combination of being as bright and as tough as him,'' said Phil Snow, who was Arizona State's defensive coordinator when Tillman played with the Sun Devils. ''This guy could go live in a foxhole for a year by himself with no food.''
What a refreshing story - and a reminder to pray for our service men and women, and their families!!
Salute this great American. Good luck Pat. (RLTW).
I hope he makes it through RANGER School, does well in one of the RANGER Battalions, and becomes the biggest star in the NFL when he is discharged.
RANGERS, LEAD THE WAY!
"$18,000 per year?" he cried out, "I can't imagine the Players' Association would allow the Rangers to pay me so little!"
"Players' Association?" the recruiter asked, "What the heck are you talking about, soldier?"
"The Major League Baseball Players' Association! I did sign a contract to play for the Texas Rangers, didn't I????"
Good point, but I don't think the football player has anything to do with it. When you watch an NFL game and see 75,000 people sitting in the stands, remember that most of them probably spent more time drinking beer at a tailgate party before that game than they would spend reviewing their child's homework for an entire semester.
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