Hero

Pat Tillman, former safety for the Arizona Cardinals, has died in Afghanistan.

Pat Tillman overachieved in football, and just about everything else. He worked his way from seventh-round draft pick to starting safety for the Arizona Cardinals, then walked away from millions of dollars to join the Army Rangers and serve his country. This week, he paid with his life. Tillman was killed in an ambush Thursday night in Afghanistan. He was 27.

"Pat represents all that is good with this country, our society and ultimately the human condition in general," said Seattle Seahawks general manager Bob Ferguson, who was GM with the Cardinals when Tillman was drafted.

"In today's world of instant gratification and selfishness, here is a man that was defined by words like loyalty, honor, passion, courage, strength and nobility. He is a modern-day hero."

Indeed, like all of our soldiers throughout world, Pat Tillman is a modern-day hero. He and all of his like-minded compatriots should be celebrated as such.

From my family to the Tillmans, and the families of his wounded squad-mates:

You have our deepest gratitude for your sacrifice. Our prayers are with you.

-- posted by Austin @ 11:35 AM (PermaLink/Comment) ¶