You know how an NBA player is rewarded. They have fame, multi-million contracts and admiration from the whole world. Can you think of a specific NBA player who'll be patriotic enough to do what this guy did? <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Pat Tillman never wanted to be a big story, or an American hero. He just wanted to do his duty, as proudly and anonymously as the soldiers who stood by his side. There were no news conferences, no interviews, no parades, no self-congratulations. A year ago, Tillman left his new wife, Marie, his $3.6 million NFL contract and disappeared into the desert night. He fought with the Army Rangers in Eastern Afghanistan, chasing al-Qaida and Taliban into the dark corners and dangerous shadows. In the end, he turned out to be one more soldier returning home to the sad, sad sound of Taps. With his ultimate sacrifice, Tillman serves as a reminder that there were so many more like him, so many more coming home just like him: Draped under an American flag, tears flowing over the casket. He never did explain one of the most amazing stories in sports, an Arizona Cardinal leaving the glamour, the money, the good life for an enlistment wage of $17,000 and the risk of that firefight on Thursday that cost him his life.</div> Link
Unfortunately, I really doubt it. There are some really good people but just not the type of people who are like Tillman.
Very touching story and ending to Tillman's life. Not to take away from any of the brave, young soldiers fighting overseas. I've never been a pro-war and I hate seeing the lives of these men and women ending so early. To me this is a blatant reminder of how senseless and unforgiving conflict and war truely is. As many of you are aware, they are also trying to re-instate the draft to send more troops to the Middle East. EDIT -- To respond to your question the answer is no. After the war ended they asked NBA players if they would go to speak to the troops and no one volunteered to even fly over and offer support, let alone put their lives on the line.
I remember when I first heard about Pat Tillman refusing his multi-million dollar deal to enlist and I was like, "wow I could never do that". It's extremely tragic what happened, especially knowing that a bright future was ahead of him in the NFL. Sports can be regarded as a battlefield but this really puts it into perspective. Our heros are mortal and they are just like us with a god given talent in a different area. The only NBA player I could think of to duplicate Pat Tillman's choice would be David Robinson...but in the present NBA I cannot think of anyone. The pro life has become a glamour fest and the odds of a successful ballplayer giving it all up to risk his life for his country would be almost unheard of.
Man, I have been hearing this all day and every time it gets to me. He and all the other players to enlist before him has to be if not Jesus Christ the definition of the words Ultimate Sacrafice. Tillman gave up the American Dream to ensure that everyone including me would have a safe future. He gave up what others would refuse to give up, and if that doesn't set an example for the money hogs who exchange talent for money, what will? If someone asked me who is my hero, I'd have to say Pat Tillman.
ya, it was great what he did, i hope his brother kevin doesnt hav the same fate, o and as a sidenote kevin was a minor league prospect for the Clevland Indians.
I just heard about it during the halftime show of the Celtic and Pacers game. Whoa, what a brave man and I don't anybody thinks an NBA player would go to war. Bradshaw the wrestler was saying that he would. What happened with that? I feel for his and every other family who's lost a loved one to this war.
o ya, hobie baker died in war too. hense the ncaa hobie baker award(kinda like the heisman of hockey for those who dont know)
yeah it was great.. but in the other hand its really stupid because he die in WAR!! why are we makin' war?? for nothin' caus at the end everybody lose! He died, but there,s 500 other poeple who died every day.. so .. we live in a stupid fashist world
ya, but thats not the point. the point is that he gave up a great life in the NFL! He had a wife as well. it takes a lot to give up your passion to go fight for the country. so yes war is stupid, but what he did is not.
Just because an NBA Player doesn't want to give up something He worked SO hard for he's selfish? PLEASE, None of you would die for your country, so why think that an NBA Player has an obligation just b/c he's rich and famous. THE NBA PLAYER ISN'T BORN RICH AND FAMOUS HE WORKED HARD FOR IT. And to work taht hard for it and give it up. I dont think so.
yeah its true.. i wouldn't ReRun, he lost his wife and a football Career for makin war for OIL! this is stupid
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting mogame:</div><div class="quote_post">Just because an NBA Player doesn't want to give up something He worked SO hard for he's selfish? PLEASE, None of you would die for your country, so why think that an NBA Player has an obligation just b/c he's rich and famous. THE NBA PLAYER ISN'T BORN RICH AND FAMOUS HE WORKED HARD FOR IT. And to work taht hard for it and give it up. I dont think so.</div> Who said that they were selfish. All I see posted was that we don't think that they would. None of us said that they're selfish. There's no MLB players or WWE wrestler fighting in the war. Nobody can blame them for not wanting to put their life on the line when they have a great life.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Would There Ever Be A Player Like This In The NBA? </div> we don't want a guy like that in the NBA.. we don't want a guy who's going to kill himself and support war in the world..
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Peja King:</div><div class="quote_post">we don't want a guy like that in the NBA.. we don't want a guy who's going to kill himself and support war in the world..</div> Whoa, what's wrong with a guy that wants to fight for his country? I think in Pats case he really wanted to protect the country. Not get oil.
they don't need to get protected!! damn they can destroy the world 4 times nobody can stop them.. man why d'you they're in irak?? oil for sure..
What I admire most about Tillman is the fact that he just left without saying a word. He could've easily asked for fame and recognition for his actions but he didn't. Now that's a true hero. But reading the article kind of got me thinking a little, is this propaganda? Now before I go any further, I am not trying to be insensitive nor am I saying this for the sole purpose to anger people here. I just find it strange that an article written like this comes at a time when the U.S. is in need of more troops in the middle east. The way it was written kind of sounds like an advertisement for the army. It glorifies the soldiers at war and it doesn't speak of the senseless and negative aspects of war. These are signs that the government could have a hand in something like this. We see this happening all the time. In movies, tv shows, magazines, the government uses these media to send out messages like enlisting in the army. Sometimes they do it blatantly and sometimes they don't. This could just be me speaking from a Canadian's point of view, but this is just how I see it. I could be right or I could just be making something out of nothing. I just want to provide some food for thought and know what you all think of it.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Peja King:</div><div class="quote_post">they don't need to get protected!! damn they can destroy the world 4 times nobody can stop them.. man why d'you they're in irak?? oil for sure..</div> I feel Bush is, but in his Pats case I don't think so. I don't think alot of the soldiers wanna really be their and die. It was Bush's decision, and the soldiers have to follow his command. They don't have a choice.
yeah i know.. but the soldiers go there for the money.. but taht guy from the NFL already have a lot of money so i don't know why he went there who knows? maybe he killed some innocent poeples and we're all here cheering him
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Peja King:</div><div class="quote_post">who knows? maybe he killed some innocent poeples and we're all here cheering him</div> That is so true. I can commend him for certain things but I don't think we should label him as a "hero" just yet. We have to know his FULL story first.
