Arizona safety Tillman to give up NFL life for the Army

CBSSportsLine.com ^ | 23 May 02 | AP

[ABG(anybody but Gore)]

PHOENIX -- Arizona Cardinals safety Pat Tillman is giving up the NFL for the Army.

Tillman said Thursday he is enlisting in the Army for three years. Cardinals coach Dave McGinnis said Tillman, a two-year starter at free safety, wants to go through boot camp and join the elite Rangers program with his younger brother, Kevin, an infielder who spent last year with the Cleveland Indians' organization.

"This is very serious with Pat," McGinnis said. "It's very personal, and I honor that. I honor the integrity of that. It was not a snap decision he woke up and made yesterday. This has been an ongoing process, and he feels very strongly about it."

Tillman, a California native who was married two weeks ago and returned from a honeymoon in Bora Bora on Monday, talked to Cardinals owner Bill Bidwill, McGinnis and defensive coordinator Larry Marmie in separate interviews Wednesday. He could not be reached for comment.

His agent, Frank Bauer, called the decision consistent with his client's contemplative, nonmaterialistic nature.

Tillman, an unrestricted free agent, spurned a $9 million, five-year offer sheet from the St. Louis Rams in 2001 and allowed a multiyear deal with the Cardinals to sit on the table this spring despite Bauer's urging to sign.

"This is very consistent with how he conducts his life," Bauer said. "Patty is the type of guy who is very smart and very loyal. I remember when the Rams made their offer, he said, 'No, I want to stay with the Cardinals. If I have to play for the minimum, I don't care.' He axed the offer sheet and played another year. But he's always had a blueprint for what he wants to do. Now everything else is on the back burner."

Tillman, 25, never tired of football, but felt his hand was forced by the military's age restriction on entry in special forces units, Bauer said. The agent said Tillman hopes to resume his NFL career when his enlistment is up.

Newlywed Marie Tillman supports her husband's decision to leave one rugged profession for a more dangerous one, Bauer said.

The 5-foot-11, 200-pound Tillman has always been distinguished by his appetite for rugged play and intelligence. As an undersized linebacker at Arizona State, he was the Pac-10's defensive player of the year in 1997.

He warmed up for last year's training camp by competing in a 70.2-mile triathlon in June, and he finished his fourth NFL year with 478 career tackles and three interceptions.

As a scholar, Tillman carried a 3.84 grade point average through college and graduated summa cum laude in 3½ academic years with a degree in marketing.

"The guy has got something to him, and that's why I wanted him on the team all these years," McGinnis said.

[ABG(anybody but Gore)]

A few years ago, a boxer, I forget his name, but he was a heavyweight, joined the Marine Corps Reserves, and washed out 3 days into Boot Camp. Here's hoping Tillman makes it.

[E Rocc]

A few years ago, a boxer, I forget his name, but he was a heavyweight, joined the Marine Corps Reserves, and washed out 3 days into Boot Camp

Riddick Bowe, a former heavyweight champ.

Tillman had injury problems last year so he may have problems with the physical.

-Eric

[smith288]

Even if he doesnt make it, I commend his patriotic gesture. How many athletes in professional sports with tons of money would be willing to walk away to protect their own freedoms?

[ABG(anybody but Gore)]

Thanks for the name. As for Tillman's injury, unless it's serious, he should make it through Basic without too much trouble, but Ranger school might be a problem.

[ABG(anybody but Gore)]

Agreed. Anybody who walks away from a $9 million contract to serve their country is a good guy in my book. Or insane. 8^)

[fnord]

gotta applaud his moral fortitude ... there was a college basketball player at Minnesota who played after his military service, and of course there was Rocky Bleier. But how many nowadays would give up what they have to start their military service. This takes us back to the days of WWII and Korea. Semper Fi to Tillman.

[ABG(anybody but Gore)]

Ted Williams had been retired for nearly a decade before I was even born, but he will always be my favorite Red Sox player, because he answered the call in WW2 and Korea.

[HiJinx]

Ya wanna know what really stinks?
At 5-11 and 200 pounds, Tillman is already considered overweight.
And since he's in pretty good physical shape already, he's gonna have a heckuva time shedding the 13-18 pounds necessary to get back under max weight for his height.
Of course, the Army may waive the height/weight table for him, but I doubt it.

[ABG(anybody but Gore)]

I doubt he'll have to worry about the overweight issue. If it's muscle, and not fat, which is likely, the Army will find the proper waivers. I don't remember exactly what the circumstances were, but when I was in the Nat'l Guard, I weighed in at 10 lbs. over for my height. After getting taped(neck size, chest, and waist) the result was having to lose 1 pound instead. They always take muscle mass into consideration.

[lepton]

Thanks for the name. As for Tillman's injury, unless it's serious, he should make it through Basic without too much trouble, but Ranger school might be a problem.

Yeah, but he might get a lot of flack for his weight.

[lepton]

And since he's in pretty good physical shape already, he's gonna have a heckuva time shedding the 13-18 pounds necessary to get back under max weight for his height.

The actual standard is body fat percentage. The weight is just a first level screening - but try explaining that to many. Most people who are over the screening weight, but low body-fat are mercilessly harrassed as "getting over" on a technicallity.

[Coop]

Yeah, but he might get a lot of flack for his weight.

Don't worry. Ranger school will take care of any excess weight. :-) I'm very inspired by this gentleman's patriotism and conviction.

[Servant of the Nine]

At 5-11 and 200 pounds, Tillman is already considered overweight.

I think they will waive that, because it will make a laughing stock of the whole system to put him in the fatboy squad in basic.

So9

[HiJinx]

Your response has been the most cogent so far!
You're right, if course. But we have to hope his Training Company Commander and First Sergeant have the intelligence and foresight to apply the rules fairly. I've seen some pretty good soldiers washed out because the screening tables and tape tests were improperly used.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Ping!

[Icthus]

My hat is off to Mr. Tillman. Professional atheletes ARE role models to our youth (like it or not). I hope this guy is treated fairly and used as a positive role model through the media for his beliefs rather than being ridiculed for not "taking the money". Maybe there is hope after all.....

[Palmetto]

I hear he is refusing interviews.

God bless this man. I only wish we had more pro athletes like him.