Pat Tillman killed in Afghanistan

WASHINGTON - Arizona Cardinal strong safety-turned soldier Pat Tillman, who left the team to enlist in the Army after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, has been killed in Afghanistan. He was 27.

"Pat Tillman was an inspiration on and off the football field, as with all who made the ultimate sacrifice in the war on terror," said White House spokesman Taylor Gross. "His family is in the thoughts and prayers of President and Mrs. Bush."

The exact location of where Tillman, a U.S. Army Ranger, was killed was not yet certain. Some reports had him killed in Afghanistan.

His death was confirmed by the House Armed Services Committee, whose members were notified by the Department of Defense.

According to ABC News, Tillman was out on patrol with a group of Rangers in a mountainous region on the Afghan-Pakistani border when the patrol was caught in a coordinated ambush. One enemy combatant was killed and Tillman was the only U.S. casualty, ABC reported.

When Tillman enlisted in the Army he walked away from a 3-year, $3.6 million contract extension with the Cardinals. The decision drew nationwide headlines, although he did not seek the headlines.

Tillman made the decision after returning from his honeymoon with wife, Marie, in 2002, joining the elite Army rangers with his brother Kevin.

Former Cardinals head coach Dave McGinnis said Tillman represented all that was good in sports, "bringing passion, honor, integrity and dignity to the game."

McGinnis said Tillman knew his purpose in life. He said Tillman proudly walked away from a career in football to a greater calling, "which was to protect and defend our country," and that Tillman represents those "who have and will make the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom."

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., said Friday he was "heartbroken" by the news of Tillman's death.

"The tragic loss loss of this extraordinary young man will seem a heavy blow to out nation's morale, as it is surely a grievous injury to his loved ones," said McCain, whose latest book is on the subject of bravery.

"Many American families have suffered the same terrible sacrifice that Pat's family must now bear, and the patriotism that their loved ones exemplified is as fine and compelling as Pat's.

"But there is in Pat Tillman's example, in his unexpected choice of duty to his country over the riches and other comforts of celebrity, and in his humility, such an inspiration to all of us to reclaim the essential public-spiritness of Americans that many of us, in low moments, had worried was no longer our common distinguishing trait."

Rep. J.D. Hayworth, R-Arizona, said, "Where do we get such men as these? Where to we find these people willing to stand up for America?"

"He chose action rather than words. He just wanted to serve his country. He was a remarkable person," Hayworth said. "He lived the American dream, and he fought to preserve the American dream and our way of life."

The National Football League has scheduled a press conference for 1 p.m. Tillman, born in San Jose, Calif., played his college ball at Arizona State University.

Kevin Cook, head of residential life at ASU who knew Tillman, said he wasn't surprised when Tillman enlisted.

"It was something he would do, to be a Ranger," said Cook, who also served in Army, in 1st Cavalry, from 1985 to 1988.

He was a man of character and integrity and for the greater good."

Flags are being flown at half-mast at Arizona State University Friday.

Tillman reportedly had hopes of resuming his NFL career after the three-year Army commitment, in 2005.

A seventh-round pick out of ASU in 1998, Tillman was a starter in the 2000-2001 and 2001-2002 seasons.

Tillman has always marched to his own beat. Upon entering ASU, he told coach Bruce Snyder that he was not redshirting, that he had a life to pursue after four

years of college. He graduated in 3 1/2 years with a degree in marketing and a 3.84 grade-point average.

"Once he decides to do something and accomplishes it, he really likes to do more," Snyder said in 2002. "The normal routine just kills him."

In 2001, he declined to pursue a five-year, $9 million offer from the St. Louis Rams because he felt loyalty to the Cardinals' coaches, who had taken a chance on him.

As a rookie trying to make the team, Tillman rode a bicycle to the team's Tempe facility each day because he didn't own a car. And he refused to use a cellphone.

Tillman grew antsy in the off-seasons and wasn't content unless he was accomplishing something. In 2000, he ran a marathon. And the following year, he completed a triathlon.

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