SAN FRANCISCO -- New details have emerged about former pro football player Pat Tillman who died from friendly fire while serving in Afghanistan last April.

The Washington Post has uncovered new information about the death of Tillman, a former Arizona Cardinals safety.

The newspaper claims the friendly fire came from within Tillman's own platoon of Army Rangers.

The Post gathered dozens of witness statements, e-mails, investigation findings, log books, and other information, in the course of its investigation.

The paper's report claims that the information proves Tillman died unnecessarily after botched communications, a mistaken decision to split his platoon despite the objections of its leader, and negligent shooting by some Rangers.

The newspaper also reports that the army knew this shortly after Tillman's death, but didn't make it public.

It says Tillman fought bravely and honorably until his last breath, and Tillman's superiors exaggerated his actions to burnish is legend in public, and suppressed details that might tarnish his commanders.

Tillman, who was just 27 years old when he died, made a bold decision following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, turning down a multimillion-dollar contract with the Cardinals to join the Army.