Pat Tillman
Arizona Cardinals safety who traded a $3.6 million contract for Army duty.
Patrick Daniel Tillman (November 6, 1976 – April 22, 2004) was an American professional football player for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). He left his sports career and enlisted in the United States Army Special Operations in May 2002 following the September 11 attacks. His service in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as his subsequent death by friendly fire, received significant media attention.
- Role
- Safety
- Affiliation
- Arizona Cardinals (NFL)
- Tenure
- 1998–2001
- Draft Status
- 226th pick in the 1998 NFL draft
- Status
- Deceased in Service to Country
- Career Games
- 60
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Tillman was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the 1998 NFL draft as the 226th pick. He played four seasons, turning down a five-year, $9 million offer from the St. Louis Rams to stay with the Cardinals. In May 2002, after finishing the 2001 season, he turned down a three-year, $3.6 million contract extension to enlist in the U.S. Army alongside his brother Kevin. He served several combat tours before being killed in the mountains of Afghanistan on April 22, 2004. Initially reported as an enemy ambush, it was revealed a month later that he died from friendly fire.
In Their Own Story
After four seasons with the Cardinals, Tillman chose to enlist rather than sign a lucrative contract offer. He and his brother Kevin completed basic training together in September 2002 and were assigned to the 2nd Ranger Battalion. Following deployment to Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, he graduated from Ranger School in November 2003 before deploying to Afghanistan. On April 22, 2004, while his platoon was split into two serials due to a broken vehicle, gunfire confusion led one unit to fire on the other, fatally shooting Tillman.
Reader's Guide
Tillman started ten of 16 games in his rookie season after moving from college linebacker to NFL safety. His career totals included 340 tackles, 2.5 sacks, three interceptions for 37 yards, three forced fumbles, 15 pass deflections, and three fumble recoveries across 60 games. He also had one rush attempt for 4 yards and returned three kickoffs for 33 yards. Posthumously promoted from specialist to corporal, he received the Silver Star and Purple Heart.
Did You Know?
- Tillman turned down a five-year, $9 million contract offer from the St. Louis Rams out of loyalty to the Cardinals.
- He and his brother Kevin enlisted together on May 31, 2002, and served alongside one another until Patrick's death.
- The Pentagon notified Tillman's family on May 28, 2004, that he was killed by friendly fire, a month after the incident occurred.
- Tillman graduated from Arizona State University in three and a half years with a 3.85 GPA while earning first-team All-American honors in 1997.