Half the platoon members were ordered to tow the vehicle, but were attacked by Taliban insurgents. What did become known was that Tillman's platoon was forced to split up when one of their vehicles broke down during a routine search of an Afghan village. The Pentagon reopened the investigation into Tillman's death in 2005, but the more than 2,000 pages of testimony only revealed more contradictions and inaccuracies. Army was aware of the possibility of fratricide in regards to Tillman's death even before his memorial service, but withheld that knowledge from the public and from Tillman's family until well after the memorial. By the end of May, media outlets reported that Tillman was actually killed in an incident of fratricide-otherwise known as "friendly fire." Official documents would later reveal that the U.S. As more details emerged, Tillman's family began demanding answers from the military. Yet there were still many unanswered questions and conflicting accounts concerning the circumstances surrounding his death. Tillman was honored in a nationally televised memorial service on May 3, 2004, in which Senator John McCain delivered the eulogy. Many questions remained unanswered about Tillman's death at the time, but a week later this account of his death became recognized as the official story, and General Stanley McChrystal approved for the soldier's Silver Star nomination. The first reports indicated that he was shot during a clash with enemy forces during an ambush. On April 22, 2004, Tillman was killed in action while in a canyon in eastern Afghanistan. Tillman served in several tours of duty, including time in Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom as well as a stay in Afghanistan to serve in Operation Enduring Freedom. Tillman and his brother went through training to become Army Rangers and were assigned to the second battalion of 75th Ranger Regiment in Fort Lewis, Washington. Before starting his military service, Tillman married his high school girlfriend Marie. Yet Tillman turned down a three-year, $3.6 million contract with the Cardinals to enlist. His decision to leave the sport to join the military garnered a lot of media attention 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. It's no longer important."Īfter finishing the 2001 season, he planned on enlisting in the U.S. "However, these last few years, and especially after recent events, I've come to appreciate just how shallow and insignificant my role is. "Sports embodied many of the qualities I deem meaningful," he said in 2002. When the United States' invaded Afghanistan, Tillman decided to put his professional career on hold in order to join the U.S. Louis Rams to stay with the Cardinals in 2001. Loyal to his team, Tillman turned down a lucrative contract with the St. Over time, he earned his place as a starting player and set a new team record for the number of tackles in 2000. Tillman was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the 1998 National Football League (NFL) draft. Smith Academic Award in 19 the Sporting News Honda Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 1997 and the 1998 Sun Angel Student Athlete of Year. Tillman also earned awards for his performance as a student, winning the Clyde B. He won the Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year and was selected as the ASU Most Valuable Player of the Year in 1997. The linebacker helped his team to achieve an undefeated season and to make to the 1997 Rose Bowl game. Tillman's considerable talent landed him a scholarship to Arizona State University (ASU), which he attended after graduating high school.Īt ASU, Tillman thrived on the field and in the classroom. Tillman excelled at football while attending Leland High School, having led his team to the Central Coast Division I Football Championship. Patrick Daniel Tillman was born to Mary and Patrick Tillman on November 6, 1976, in San Jose, California, the oldest of three sons. The official story was that he was shot by enemy forces during an ambush, but it was later revealed that he may have been killed by friendly fire, and that Army commanders and members of the Bush administration covered up the truth of what had happened. In 2002, Pat Tillman left a successful football career with the Arizona Cardinals to join the U.S.
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