It was nine years ago that Pat Tillman made the surprising decision to walk away from the fame and fortune of the NFL to join the Army and serve in Afghanistan, and it’s been more than seven years since Tillman was killed. But Tillman’s legacy lives on through the Pat Tillman Foundation, which provides resources and educational opportunities to veterans, active military members and their dependents.
This week the Tillman Foundation announced that Retired Army Lieutenant Colonel Michael J. Kwinn, Jr. has been selected as its president and CEO.
“Pat inspired me as he did so many as an individual to emulate and follow because of his values of commitment and courage in answering the call to duty,” Kwinn said in the foundation’s announcement. “Marie Tillman, the Board of Directors, the tremendous staff and the legions of volunteers have built a great organization to honor Pat’s legacy as a scholar, a leader and a man of character. I greatly look forward to continuing and furthering our Foundation’s mission.”
I just saw, and highly recommend, The Tillman Story, a great documentary about Tillman’s life and death. His is a story everyone should know, and his Foundation is a great cause named for a great man.
All that everyone seems to be writing about is the lockout and how selfish both sides are being. It sure is nice to hear something about someone as selfless as Pat Tillman.
God bless Pat Tillman, all our fallen and wounded soldiers, and to all who serve our country.
One would hope that their sacrifices would be honored before another NFL player remarks about how a football game is somehow akin to going to war.
Tillman is role model for a lot of the best young players in the game. There is a whole generation of kids striving to emulate him.
Who says you need religion to be moral and to know right from wrong? Tillman was an atheist and proved that morality and honor don’t come from outside beliefs but by having good people around you and a strong will to do what you know is right.
Who’s the turd who “thumbs-downed” dbellina’s comment?
That documentary made me sick at the end…helpless kind of. I used to watch that guy in high school and he was a class act.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I do find it amazing that there would be “thumbs down” comments about someone who gave up all the fame and money they would ever need to do serve his nation.
to serve his nation* sorry.
Pat Tillman’s ultimate sacrifice should not be forgotten. However, it also shouldn’t be forgotten that the Army and the Bush administration shamelessly manufactured propaganda that Tillman was killed by the enemy while engaged in heroic fighting, but the sad truth is that he was killed by fellow American soldiers in circumstances that border on gross negligence or even worse. Pat Tillman’s parents justifiably were enraged by that.
Hey Ray this guy was a hero and a real warrior with bullets flying and died defeding this country. I know Ray thinks he’s a warrior with his make up and rants that he is a warrior but he is just a good football player. Tillman is the man.