Pat Tillman - Leading the Way

Pat Tillman is a guy who really put his money where his heart was. At 25, he chucked a promising career in football, joining the U.S. Army. Moved to action by September 11th, he walked away from 3.6 million dollars and became a soldier.

Not just any soldier, mind you, but a U.S. Army Ranger. At 25, he was a bit long in the tooth, close to the upper limit in which the special forces will take you. However, he was an extraordinary athlete, clawing his way from the end of the bench to become an award-winning college football player. There are lots of fine collegiate players, but Tillman was good enough to get a ticket to the big show. Accustomed to being an exception, Tillman graduated from Ranger school against 2 to 1 odds, only a third of Ranger candidates make it.

Tillman impressed people with his loyalty. Offered nine million to come play for the Rams, he instead opted to continue to play for the Cardinals, this despite the fact that a Super Bowl ring was more likely with the championship Rams than the hapless Cardinals. He liked his team, and would rather play with friends for the minimum than chase money and fame.

In fact, I am struck with the fact that Tillman, a college grad, eschewed Officers Candidate School, choosing instead to be an enlisted grunt. Having been an enlisted man (though not of his caliber) I always though the life of an officer would be much more satisfying. Instead, without fanfare or pretension he gripped the bottom rung of the military ladder, and sought the pinnacle of the enlisted warrior. He graduated into the 75th Ranger regiment and deployed to Afghanistan.

Tillman wasn't interested in publicity, explicitly asking to be left out of the spotlight, so much so that I couldn't think of his name, referring to him as "that guy who walked out on an NFL contract to join the Army". Spokesman for the Rangers said that he didn't want to be used in recruiting.

This is the true man of the West. Wealth, intelligence and strength at the ready for service to a greater cause. He pledged his life, his fortune and his sacred honor to defend the nation in which he thrived. After his 3 year hitch, he planned a return to football, and pick up where he left off.

I say planned because Tillman was killed in Afghanistan in the last few hours before this writing. For his beloved country he picked up a rifle and began the tough work of ridding the world of our enemies. His silent dedication was an example of the best of America, and deserves a Shakespearean eulogy. Now that he will be silent until that wonderful day, I will remember often to speak well of him and his comrades who share that perfect warrior spirit in their own measure. My hope is that I can be worthy of his sacrifice, and that of his kind.

Tim McNabb