Posted on 08/09/2004 4:43:38 AM PDT by ResistorSister
The death of former NFL defensive back Pat Tillman, who gave up his lucrative job with the Arizona Cardinals to enlist in the armed forces, has had a significant impact on NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue. Tillman’s widow, Marie, was an invited guest Sunday to the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s enshrinement ceremony, along with four other soldiers who had limbs amputated.
Tagliabue spoke at the enshrinement and then made sure he was out of the congestion in time to make a dinner at Brookside Country Club. The NFL hosted a dinner there for Purple Heart veterans.
Hall of Famer Deacon Jones visited Walter Reed Medical Center, and the experience left an impact on the Class of 1980 enshrinee. So much so, that Jones then visited troops in Iraq.
Jones was so taken with the soldiers that he invited them to Canton for the Hall of Fame festivities.
“When I was visiting the amputees, I lost my mind,” Jones said in a behind-the-scenes interview with NFL Network. “It was so emotional. I invited all the amputees not to the Super Bowl, but to here in Canton, Ohio, because I know they will get the thank yous here.
“I’ve been coming back for 23 years, and I’ve been getting the thank yous from people who aren’t old enough to remember when I played. Surely, in the next 24 hours when you see these men around, you give them the (gratitude) they so richly deserve.”
Jones is a bit of a thespian, but he seemed to genuinely get worked up during the interview. He drew a loud round of applause when he said, “I’m going back to Iraq, and this time, I’m taking a gun with me.”
(Excerpt) Read more at cantonrep.com ...
Yes, thanks Deacon Jones.
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