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Patrick Daniel Tillman (November 6, 1976 – April 22, 2004) was an player in the (NFL) who left his sports career and enlisted in the in June 2002 in the aftermath of the. His service in and, and subsequent death, were the subject of national attention. Tillman joined the and served several tours in combat before he was killed in the mountains of Afghanistan. At first, the Army reported that Tillman had been killed by enemy fire.

Controversy ensued when a month later, on May 28, 2004, notified the Tillman family that he had been killed by a incident; the family and other critics allege that the delayed the disclosure for weeks after Tillman's memorial service out of a desire to protect the image of the U.S. Tillman was the first professional football player to be killed in combat since, who died in the in 1970. Tillman was posthumously promoted from to. He also received posthumous and medals.

Contents • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Early life and education [ ] Tillman was born on November 6, 1976, in, the son of Mary (Spalding) and Patrick Kevin Tillman. The oldest of three sons, with and Richard as the other two, Tillman played competitive football. He went to Bret Harte Middle School and helped lead to the Central Coast Division I Football Championship. Tillman then went to on a football scholarship. Tillman was very close to his family and high school friends.

He repeatedly mentioned in his personal journals during wartime service that he drew strength from and deeply valued his closest friendships, parents, wife and family. Tillman was very committed to his high school sweetheart whom he married just prior to enlistment in the Army Rangers, Marie Ugenti Tillman. He also was very close with his brother,, who enlisted with and served alongside him. Football career [ ] He started his college career as a for in 1994, when he secured the last remaining scholarship for the team. Tillman excelled as a linebacker at Arizona State, despite being relatively small for the position at 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) tall.

As a junior, he helped his team go undefeated as well as helping them make it to the that year. In 1997, he was voted the Defensive Player of the Year. Academically, Tillman majored in and graduated in three and a half years with a 3.85. He also earned many academic awards including: the Clyde B. Smith Academic Award in 1996 and 1997; the Sporting News Honda Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 1997; and the 1998 Sun Angel Student Athlete of Year. He was inducted into the in 2010.