Posted on 04/01/2003 5:11:01 AM PST by KeyLargo
Changing battlefields
March 30, 2003
BY MIKE MULLIGAN STAFF REPORTER Advertisement
PHOENIX--Like most Americans with family or friends directly involved in the war in Iraq, Arizona Cardinals coach Dave McGinnis turns on his television set for updates with a mix of pride, concern and dread. McGinnis and the rest of the Cardinals organization have one of their own, former safety Pat Tillman, deployed overseas, and he is believed to be on the front lines.
It was just more than a year ago Tillman pulled one of the most surprising NFL exits since Barry Sanders when he left a three-year, $3.6 million contract offer on the table to enlist in the 75th Army Ranger Regiment, along with his brother, Kevin, a former minor-league baseball player. In doing so, Tillman became the first NFL player to voluntarily leave the game for military service since World War II, when 600 players served and 19 were killed.
"I think about him daily,'' McGinnis said. "There is not a time with this going on that there is not some thought process I have about Pat. The decision he made was filled with such honor and integrity and dignity. It was a decision made for all the right reasons. What he and his brother, Kevin, are doing is even more profound with what is going on in the world.''
Tillman, now 26, refused all media requests after walking away from the game. Friends say he was deeply moved by the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and vowed at that point to "do something about it.'' Knowing the Army Rangers do not accept applicants over the age of 28, Tillman opted to join, presumably with the idea of finishing his career later.
No one is certain exactly where Tillman and his regiment are located. Cardinals defensive coordinator Larry Marmie, who served as Tillman's position coach early in his career, described him as upbeat and enthusiastic during a phone conversation last month. Marmie spoke with Tillman's wife earlier this week, and even she hasn't heard a word from her husband since he was deployed more than three weeks ago.
"He really wanted to do something for his country, there is no question about that,'' Cardinals owner Bill Bidwill said. "He wanted to do it very privately. He didn't want a big to-do about it. We're all just hoping he and the rest of our troops are safe and remain safe.''
A seventh-round pick from Arizona State in 1998 after an outstanding college career that began as a walk-on, Tillman developed into an impact player for the Cardinals. He earned a reputation as a gung-ho type who worked out like a madman to the point of riding a bicycle to practice in the desert sun instead of driving a car.
Tillman made a team-record 224 tackles in 2000. After that season, he declined a five-year, $9.8 million deal with the Rams out of loyalty to the Cardinals. He was given the three-year, $3.6 million offer last year shortly before leaving on his honeymoon. But when he returned, he informed the Cardinals he was walking away from football.
McGinnis recalled telling Tillman there would be a media frenzy after word of his decision got out. Tillman asked the coach to handle it for him.
"He just said, 'Mac, you're good at that stuff, you take care of it,''' McGinnis said.
Patrick Tillman, the father of Pat and Kevin, told the Los Angeles Times his sons wanted to keep a low profile because they didn't believe their commitment was any different than that of other soldiers in their elite group.
"They don't want recognition separate from their peers,'' he said. "It's a pretty elite crowd they're running with. All of those guys are stand-up guys. I don't think you can pick one out and say one's better than another.''
But it's probably fair to say Tillman is the only one who turned down millions in order to make a salary between $1,022 and $1,433 a month.
"There is a salary difference, no doubt about it,'' Bidwill said. "He was very intent, very programmed and a very intelligent fellow--disciplined and focused--and he's doing what he wanted to do.''
Bidwill said the Cardinals "feel honored'' to be associated with Tillman. McGinnis described himself as "extremely proud.''
"When you think about him being over there, it touches you pretty deep and triggers a lot of emotions,'' McGinnis said.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.