Pat Tillman Hero

From NFL Star to American Hero
Many people dream of playing a professional sport, but not many people would give up that dream to go into the military. Pat Tillman was a football star from Arizona State University and later the Arizona Cardinals. In 2002, Tillman put his NFL career on hold and enlisted in the U.S. Army to become an ranger along with his brother. With this choice, Tillman received a lot of attention from the media, but was humble and did not want to make it a big story. When his coach, Dave McGinnis, from the Arizona Cardinals was asked he answered, “Pat knew his purpose in life. Tillman proudly walked away from a career in football to a greater calling” ("Pat Tillman Foundation”). Through his selflessness, determination, and humbleness, Pat Tillman went from being a NFL star to a respected Army Ranger to finally after his tragic death one of the America’s greatest heroes.
One is undeniable, his determination to become one of the best football players that he could be. After being told in high school that he was too little to ever play football, Tillman worked hard and through determination became a huge part of his high school football team and later earned a scholarship to Arizona State University. In college, it was said that what Tillman lacked in size and physical ability he made up and exceeded with intensity ("Pat Tillman Foundation"). Pat worked hard in the offseason trying to keep his mind and body moving in the right direction so he could secure his spot when the football season started. His determination and hard work paid off when he got a starting spot as a safety for the Arizona Cardinals (Tillman 39). Although a large amount of determination went into football, Tillman’s determination went far beyond the