Todd Warshaw/Allsport
On Monday, former fan favorite Arizona Cardinals DB Pat Tillman would’ve celebrated his 47th birthday.
Tillman, who played his college ball at Arizona State, decided to enlist in the army following the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center four seasons into his NFL career. Tragically, Tillman was killed by friendly fire during a firefight in the mountains of southeast Afghanistan.
He was remembered by the Cardinals on social media to start the week, who tweeted: “Thinking of Pat Tillman on what would have been his 47th birthday today. Forever in our hearts.”
Thinking of Pat Tillman on what would have been his 47th birthday today.
Forever in our hearts 🤍 pic.twitter.com/NiTfgerGHX
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) November 6, 2023
Fans around the league paid tribute in the team’s mentions.
🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 https://t.co/rbOtqIq1pA
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) November 6, 2023
“A true American Hero,” a user said. “Rest in Peace Pat.”
A true American Hero. Rest in Peace Pat. https://t.co/ybbkZbgxgP
— Johnny Utah (@agent_j_utah) November 6, 2023
“What a loss,” another teared up.
What a loss 😢🏈🙏🏼 https://t.co/GW37YOZisg
— Diane Swofford (@hdswofford2) November 6, 2023
“Every time someone invokes the name of Pat Tillman it’s a coin flip on whether it’s someone who knows absolutely nothing about what he believed or the circumstances of his death or not. … Here it’s obvious,” another replied.
Every time someone invokes the name of Pat Tillman it’s a coin flip on whether it’s someone who knows absolutely nothing about what he believed or the circumstances of his death or not.
Here it’s obvious. https://t.co/hvKTMXc2IH
— Somebody actually (@ARealCutie_) November 6, 2023
“Happy birthday to a legend.”
Happy birthday to a legend. https://t.co/zdB7niekXC
— Zach (@LockedInMiami) November 6, 2023
The circumstances of Tillman’s passing continue to be a point of controversy. But one thing that can’t be questioned were the principles and values that led to his enlisting.