The Arizona Republic
Apr. 22, 2005 12:00 AM
When news that Pat Tillman had been killed in Afghanistan became public knowledge a year ago, Tillman's fans started arriving at Sun Devil Stadium and the Cardinals training facility in Tempe, dropping off flowers, posters, military medals and various other items.
It was heartfelt and understated, and it seemed to fit.
And that became the goal of other celebrations and memorials of Tillman's life: to honor him without being maudlin or crass.
"From the very beginning, we thought about that," said Michael Bidwill, Cardinals vice president and general counsel. "That's why we tried to do things in a way that gave Pat a proper hero's tribute but at the same time was sensitive to the family's wishes and do things in a first-class way."
As the tributes have continued in the year since Tillman, serving with the U.S. Army Rangers, was killed by friendly fire, his friends and family have worked to ensure that events in his honor are staged without exploitation and in a way that Tillman himself would have found appropriate.
"There's that term: Selling out," said Alex Garwood, executive director of the Pat Tillman Foundation.
Part of the foundation's task is to make sure that doesn't happen, Garwood said.
For instance, there are no Tillman bobbleheads.
"We joked about a bobblehead, which we're never going to have" said Garwood, also Tillman's brother-in-law.
The foundation did receive a model of one from somebody interested in manufacturing and selling them.
"I can't remember the company's name, but I'm sure it meant well," Garwood said.
Instead, Garwood said the foundation has limited items to Tillman's No. 42 Arizona State jersey, his No. 40 Arizona Cardinals jersey and wristbands.
Last Saturday, there also was the inaugural Pat's Run, which attracted about 5,500 runners and generated about $150,000 for the foundation and ASU's W.P. Carey School of Business
The run, a 4.2-mile distance, symbolic of his ASU jersey number, was more appropriate than, say, a golf tournament.
"Pat was all about moving around," said race director Perry Edinger, ASU's trainer when Tillman arrived in Tempe as a freshman. "Nothing against golf, but you wouldn't see Pat hanging around for four hours.
"He'd want to get things going."
The foundation also wanted to involve as many people as possible in an event that also could be a personal challenge, according to ASU publicist Doug Tammaro, a member of the foundation and a Tillman friend.
Those close to Tillman understand the last thing he would have wanted was to become the center of attention - an inevitable outcome of his death. He didn't want a fuss to be made over his decision to join the Army, and he declined to talk to reporters about it because he didn't see himself as any better than anyone else who volunteered.
Both the Cardinals and ASU held ceremonies to retire his number. The Cardinals did so at halftime of their first home game, a ceremony marked by a flyover of jets and the unfurling of a large Tillman jersey. ASU's ceremony was held during the final home game of the season, on Senior Day.
A wide array of commemorative events have been staged, with more to come, perhaps because so many common people feel a spiritual connection with Tillman and feel compelled to honor his memory. How else can one explain the overwhelming turnout for last week's run?
Tillman disdained pretense and was known for extreme, often unconventional pursuits, including rock climbing and sitting atop a light pole at Sun Devil Stadium on the nights before games.
"Not everybody is going to jump off rocks or climb to the top of a light pole, but a lot of people can run 4.2 miles," said Tammaro, whose office wall includes a full-length photo of Tillman with his long hair flowing from beneath his ASU helmet. "We also understand that it might be challenge for some people.
"But Pat would have liked that."
ESPN and ESPNHD will debut SportsCentury at 9 a.m. (Arizona time), and ESPN Classic will air the episode at 5 p.m.
The show examines the life of the former Arizona State and Cardinals star who left the NFL to join the Army Rangers. He was killed a year ago in Afghanistan. The circumstances of his death will be examined in interviews with Sen. John McCain and others, including his former college and professional coaches, Bruce Snyder and Dave McGinnis.
Other Tillman-related activities include:
• The Diamondbacks will honor Tillman before tonight's game against the Padres with a pre-game ceremony and postgame concert. First baseman Tony Clark, whose brother-in-law is serving in Iraq, will conduct a "silent first pitch" ceremony, using a football in recognition of Tillman's athletic career.
Top finishers from last weekend's Pat's Run will be recognized before the first pitch. There also will be color guards from all four branches of the military, an Apache helicopter flyover and videos relating to the Pat Tillman Foundation.
• A limited-edition painting of Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino will be auctioned at Fox Sports Grill from 6-9 p.m. today to raise money for the Tillman foundation. The painting is signed by Marino and painter Stephen Holland, who specializes in sports celebrities. Fox Sports Grill is located at 16203 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. Information: (480) 275-4501 or visit the web site.
• The Pat Tillman Triathlon is scheduled for May 8 at Tempe Town Lake, with both Olympic and sprint distance events. Information: (480) 226-4729 or visit the web site.
It was heartfelt and understated, and it seemed to fit.
And that became the goal of other celebrations and memorials of Tillman's life: to honor him without being maudlin or crass.
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"From the very beginning, we thought about that," said Michael Bidwill, Cardinals vice president and general counsel. "That's why we tried to do things in a way that gave Pat a proper hero's tribute but at the same time was sensitive to the family's wishes and do things in a first-class way."
As the tributes have continued in the year since Tillman, serving with the U.S. Army Rangers, was killed by friendly fire, his friends and family have worked to ensure that events in his honor are staged without exploitation and in a way that Tillman himself would have found appropriate.
"There's that term: Selling out," said Alex Garwood, executive director of the Pat Tillman Foundation.
Part of the foundation's task is to make sure that doesn't happen, Garwood said.
For instance, there are no Tillman bobbleheads.
"We joked about a bobblehead, which we're never going to have" said Garwood, also Tillman's brother-in-law.
The foundation did receive a model of one from somebody interested in manufacturing and selling them.
"I can't remember the company's name, but I'm sure it meant well," Garwood said.
Instead, Garwood said the foundation has limited items to Tillman's No. 42 Arizona State jersey, his No. 40 Arizona Cardinals jersey and wristbands.
Last Saturday, there also was the inaugural Pat's Run, which attracted about 5,500 runners and generated about $150,000 for the foundation and ASU's W.P. Carey School of Business
The run, a 4.2-mile distance, symbolic of his ASU jersey number, was more appropriate than, say, a golf tournament.
"Pat was all about moving around," said race director Perry Edinger, ASU's trainer when Tillman arrived in Tempe as a freshman. "Nothing against golf, but you wouldn't see Pat hanging around for four hours.
"He'd want to get things going."
The foundation also wanted to involve as many people as possible in an event that also could be a personal challenge, according to ASU publicist Doug Tammaro, a member of the foundation and a Tillman friend.
Those close to Tillman understand the last thing he would have wanted was to become the center of attention - an inevitable outcome of his death. He didn't want a fuss to be made over his decision to join the Army, and he declined to talk to reporters about it because he didn't see himself as any better than anyone else who volunteered.
Both the Cardinals and ASU held ceremonies to retire his number. The Cardinals did so at halftime of their first home game, a ceremony marked by a flyover of jets and the unfurling of a large Tillman jersey. ASU's ceremony was held during the final home game of the season, on Senior Day.
A wide array of commemorative events have been staged, with more to come, perhaps because so many common people feel a spiritual connection with Tillman and feel compelled to honor his memory. How else can one explain the overwhelming turnout for last week's run?
Tillman disdained pretense and was known for extreme, often unconventional pursuits, including rock climbing and sitting atop a light pole at Sun Devil Stadium on the nights before games.
"Not everybody is going to jump off rocks or climb to the top of a light pole, but a lot of people can run 4.2 miles," said Tammaro, whose office wall includes a full-length photo of Tillman with his long hair flowing from beneath his ASU helmet. "We also understand that it might be challenge for some people.
"But Pat would have liked that."
Tillman commemoration
A look at the life and death of Pat Tillman will be highlighted on ESPN networks today.ESPN and ESPNHD will debut SportsCentury at 9 a.m. (Arizona time), and ESPN Classic will air the episode at 5 p.m.
The show examines the life of the former Arizona State and Cardinals star who left the NFL to join the Army Rangers. He was killed a year ago in Afghanistan. The circumstances of his death will be examined in interviews with Sen. John McCain and others, including his former college and professional coaches, Bruce Snyder and Dave McGinnis.
Other Tillman-related activities include:
• The Diamondbacks will honor Tillman before tonight's game against the Padres with a pre-game ceremony and postgame concert. First baseman Tony Clark, whose brother-in-law is serving in Iraq, will conduct a "silent first pitch" ceremony, using a football in recognition of Tillman's athletic career.
Top finishers from last weekend's Pat's Run will be recognized before the first pitch. There also will be color guards from all four branches of the military, an Apache helicopter flyover and videos relating to the Pat Tillman Foundation.
• A limited-edition painting of Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino will be auctioned at Fox Sports Grill from 6-9 p.m. today to raise money for the Tillman foundation. The painting is signed by Marino and painter Stephen Holland, who specializes in sports celebrities. Fox Sports Grill is located at 16203 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. Information: (480) 275-4501 or visit the web site.
• The Pat Tillman Triathlon is scheduled for May 8 at Tempe Town Lake, with both Olympic and sprint distance events. Information: (480) 226-4729 or visit the web site.