Pat Tillman Update

The Arizona Republic ^ | Kent Somers

[BroncosFan]

Tillman drops by to stay in touch

Kent Somers The Arizona Republic Dec. 22, 2003 12:00 AM

SEATTLE - As a U.S. Army Ranger, Pat Tillman probably is accustomed to stealth missions. He made another one this weekend, visiting his old team, the Cardinals, on their trip to Seattle. Tillman, a former Cardinals safety, is stationed at Ft. Lewis, about a 50-minute drive south of Seattle.

So he, along with wife Marie, his brother Kevin, and a couple of friends visited the Cardinals on Saturday and Sunday. Kevin is also a Ranger. They stayed at the team hotel, watched the game from owner Bill Bidwill's suite and met with players Sunday morning and after the game. Tillman left the locker room through a side door before reporters were admitted. He has declined all interviews since joining the Army in the summer of 2002.

"The first thing he wanted to talk about was, 'Coach, how about this, how about that. I've been following you,' " coach Dave McGinnis said. "I even asked him if he could play a little 'H' linebacker for me. He said he brought his playbook, but he didn't think his hamstrings would hold up."

Tillman met with McGinnis and other Cardinals coaches Saturday night and had breakfast with Bidwill. McGinnis called the conversation "mesmerizing." The Tillman brothers have served in the Middle East in Operation Iraqi Freedom and recently completed advanced Ranger training in Georgia. They could return to the Middle East soon. It was the first time some of Tillman's former teammates had seen him since he joined, because Tillman enlisted in the off-season.

"He did a great thing for our country," safety Adrian Wilson said. "I was real surprised to see him. I didn't know he was back (in the United States) until I saw him (Sunday) morning. It was nice talking to him."

[BroncosFan]

. . . first decent thing Bidwell's ever done.

[LisaMalia]

"You can never pay back, but you can always pay forward." Woody Hayes

Tillman is a perfect example of this. God bless him.

[optik_b]

I just saw on MSNBC Pat Tillman has died in Iraq. How sad. What an incredibly sad story.

[TomasUSMC]

I believe it was in Afganistan.

I think Freerepublic should start a Tillman Fund. What better example for our youth. Saying no to millions of dollars, women, fun, and putting your life on the line to fight the enemy of your country.

Never giving up.
Except giving up his life for America.

Lets start a Tillman Fund

[LisaMalia]

Prayers going up for Pat Tillman and his family.

[Oberon]

Lets start a Tillman Fund

I'm not sure, but I'm just going to guess that his family isn't suffering, thanks to his NFL earnings to date.

[optik_b]

Tillman gave up everything for our freedom.

[TomasUSMC]

Right I was thinking along the lines of a scholarship for others. Maybe for children of those killed in action.
Something like that.

[JFC]

How about a scholorship fund... in his name to a Ranger who completes college. There are many ways to honor all of our Heros... through Pat Tillman's name.

[Oberon]

Right I was thinking along the lines of a scholarship for others.

How about a scholorship fund... in his name to a Ranger who completes college.

Good point!

[SeeRushToldU_So]

I was just thinking about him the other day. This is just sad.

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

I just heard it on the news.......very sad indeed....

[an italian]

God bless your heroes!!! I listened his story yesterday on TV... Let me say a thing: until we will have some heroes like your Tillman or our Quattrocchi (I'm Italian), we can't lose. 'Cause in our eyes may be there are some tears but a lot of wish to win!! Our world will survivor!! Thanks for your heroes...

[Smartass]

God Bless Pat Tillman. An American Hero.
May He Forever Sit, Next To The Lord.

[VOA]

bump

[nmh]

It might be appropriate for someone to start a Tillman fund to be directed to those who also died serving and awarded to the children of these men. Kids need good many good men to look up to. Tillman had it all, at least from a secular standpoint and left it behind to serve his country. That was quite a sacrifice.