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Shannan (Tempe, AZ)
I lost my breath when I heard the news. I was in the marching band at ASU during the Tillman years. He was such an exciting player. His song from us was "Iron Man".
Anthony Romero (Albuquerque,NM)
To the Family I send my depest thanks for such a great man, I of course never met Pat personaly but I have to admire A man with such dedication to our country and every thing we stand for, and I would love to thank him for the joy he gave me on the football field as A Sun Devil fan. Thank you Pat and may God Rest your soul.
David L. Harris, Postville, Iowa
I want to express my deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Pat Tillman. He truly was a warrior puting family and country above all else. The world needs more Pat Tillmans. He exemplifies the spirit and commitment of America and what is good about this country. He was an American hero.
Allen, Hartford, CT
He had the same intensity on the field as he did off the field. A man with conviction in what he believed. I hope this country gives the men and women who fight for it the honor thats due.
My condolences go out to the Tilman family and the ASU familiy. We have lost another Hero.
Tracey Salvage, Clarksville, Tennesse
Pat is a role model for all generations to look up to. There aren't many people out there who would give up their professional career in order to fight what he/she believed in. He is HERO in every shape, form, or fashion of the word. I only wish that I could personify the courage in which Tillman displayed going into IRAQ (Afghanistan).
Chris, Fort Worth Texas
Charles Barkley did not want to be my kids role model...Pat Tilman is not only their role model but also their hero.
Our thoughts and prayes go to his wife and family and all of the brave soldiers who are fighting for their lives so that we can enjoy ours in peace.
Not all of them are famous like Pat...but all are heroes. God Bless America!!
Lonnie Beverly, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
It was with deep regret I learned of the loss of Pat Tillman. At a time of national sorrow he choose to walk away from the successes in his life to aid his country. We as a country are lessened by his loss, but strenghtened by his sacrifice.
My prayers go out to his family and loved ones.
Shannon (San Diego, CA)
If only there were more true heroes like Pat in this world. We should all admire and appreciate his courage, but more so the ultimate sacrifice that some people believe in. He was an amazing person and one whom others should follow in the footsteps of. There are not many who would choose what he did. I would love to see his story inspire others to be brave and stand up for the ideals we all claim to live by. People like Pat are the reason that America has stood the test of time as long as it has. Without the continuance of such sacrifices and bravery, we will not progress as smoothly. Pat Tillman was a TRUE AMERICAN HERO! He appreciated the life that he lived and lived it well!
Eduardo Arvayo (Tucson, AZ)
I am saddened and shocked over the loss of this great Sun Devil, great American, and great man. Pat always made me proud to be a Sun Devil when he played and especially when he enlisted. This is a huge loss for our country. I trust ASU will honor his memory in a large way that is worthy of his heroic sacrifice. I pray for his wife, family, and friends in this tragic time for them.
Dr. Marc Ruzicka, Buffalo Grove, IL 60089
I loved watching Pat Tillman play football while I was a Ph.D. student at ASU in the College of Business. He played the game one way...at the best of his ability. This inspired me while I finished my Ph.D., and inspires me to be my best every day. I never had Pat as a student when I taught, but I wish I did because I heard he was great to have in class. I only saw Pat once on campus, and I still remember the image of a person with confidence and dignity.
I am devasted because the world lost one of the few people I have ever admired or considered a hero. Pat Tillman has insprired me to be a better person, and I will be one of millions of people who tell our children about how to be more like Pat Tillman. My prayers go out to everyone in the Tillman family. Marc Ruzicka
S E (Carpinteria, Californa)
Thanks Pat! Condolences to your family. If the NFL had a hall of fame for those who bring honor and self respect to sports then you should be inducted.
Juan A. Roque, Clarkston MI (ASU '92-'97)
When I woke up this morning my wife came into our bedroom and said in a very shaken voice "Your sister just called she said she heard on the radio that Pat Tillman was killed" I felt like I had been doused with ice cold water and tears began to form in my eyes. Pat was a special person and the fact that he has passed away brings sorrow to my heart and I know to all the hearts of those who knew him best. Pat was a guy who time again proved people wrong. Coach Snyder brought him to ASU because he knew that Pat was special. He was not a walk-on as has been erroneously reported on CNN and FOX, he earned a scholarship to ASU because he was smart, courageous and loved the game of football. Pat was very well liked and respected by all of us who donned the maroon and gold and had the honor and privilege of playing with him. He was by far the toughest and most fearless player I have ever seen. It was not surprising to see him excel in the NFL because he was a man who, no matter the odds, always found a way to be successful. Now....he is gone and my heart goes out to Pat's wife and his family. The last time I saw Pat it was in 1998 when the Arizona Cardinals were in town to play the Lions. Pat, Jake Plummer and I had dinner and were reminiscing about our days at ASU and how changed our lives were to that point. We vowed that no matter where we would end up in life that we would try to maintain contact with eachother. Amazing how in life we always assume that we will have time to catch up with our friends at a later time and then something like this happens and we realize that time is what we do not have. Pat, I will miss you, you are a hero to us all and we will not let your sacrifice go unnoticed, I am honored to be your friend and teammate, may God welcome you into his arms, we love you Bro!
Jeanne, Phoenix, AZ
My heart has been heavy with sadness all day as I learned of the death of Pat Tillman. As a Sun Devil fan, you rooted for his heart! Watching him achieve greatness as a Cardinal, made you root for him all the more! As an American, he made you so proud! America has lost a great man, the Tillman's have lost a great son. His wife has lost a wonderful husband. He gave the ultimate sacrifice for all of us. Thank you Pat...may God bless you and keep you. May God Bless your family and friends during this time of grief. Thank you for loving your country and your fellow man as much as you did. May we all appreciate what we have and be as brave and determined in all good things in life as you were. I feel as though I have lost a member of my family. Thank you Pat, will never be enough.
Steve Jacobs Fountain Hills, Az)
Very difficult for me to work today. The passing of Ranger Tillman seems somehow unjust. His legacy should have been so much more. Then again, it might be just as well that his story ends. Hard to believe that he could have done better or made us more proud. Yet somehow I think he could have.
My two beautiful boys will know the name Pat Tillman. They will know the inspiritation he filled their father with in a Sun Devil helmet and in his Ranger gear. They will know his name and they will be proud to be associated with it. They will also learn to respect the people who have fought for this country, whether it was as volunteers or as drafted. I can't believe that he will never have the opportunity to be a father. It really seems like a shame. I will choose to honor him with the way I love my family and the respect of others. It seems inadequate and small, but somehow it seems fitting. Ranger Tillman never wanted the fanfare. He wouldn't want his jersey retired. He wouldn't want a stadium named after him. Somehow it seems fitting to me that my honor of him will be in a small and private way. The hugs of my sons. The kisses on the forehead. The tackles in the grass at the local park.
My boys will know the name of Pat Tillman.
Curtiss Kim San Anselmo, CA
As a tv anchorman in the wine country of Sonoma County we aired the breaking news of Pat's death. The director quickly flashed Pat's picture on the screen...we ad libbed somehow until we backed up the story with Pat's college career. As the father of a student at ASU I was touched by what he meant to the Sun Devil Family and how proud all of you at the Unversity must be of him. I read where Pat turned down a lucrative offer to play with the Rams..and chose to stay with the Arizona Cardinals. I can't help but think it was in part because of the ties he formed at ASU. My prayers are with family and friends...Curtiss Kim, KFTY.
Christina Scottsdale, AZ
Pat,
May GOD know your force, your honor and your soul.
May YOU know what you mean to us and the legacy you leave.
May WE know what we have truly lost and what love truly is.
It IS a pleasure and an honor to be called one of your FRIENDS.
#42 forever remembered!
Matt Barrie
In a time when athletes are getting arrested, doing drugs, and losing stature of role models, Pat Tillman went completely across the grain and became at least a role model, at most an American Hero. I had the opportunity to watch Pat play at ASU, and just the effort and desire he displayed on the field was enough for us students to make him an ASU football hero. Little did we know it was the lesser of all his accomplishments. Thank you Pat for everything you've done for our state and country. It's Americans like him that keep us free. Godspeed #42, you will always be remebered for everything that is right with athletes and America.
Jodie Anderson, Scottsdale AZ
Pat Tillman's student and professional sports career was centered at Sun Devil Stadium. A fitting tribute to our fallen hero would be renaming this institution Pat Tillman-Sun Devil Stadium to remind Arizonans of the ultimate sacrifice by a young man who had so much to offer his community, state, and coutry. His sacrifice for the freedoms we cherish is only the latest in a long line of sacrifice by brave young Americans. God Bless America and the Tillman family!
Georgetown, Massachusetts
On behalf of the New England Chapter of the ASU Alumni, our prayers, thoughts, and unending respect and admiration go out to the entire Tillman family. You should be proud. Pat will be missed
John Tigard OR
We all think why we can not serve yet he did and gave up so much of what we all dream to have. I thank the family for sharing his courage with all of us. Words can not say how sorry I am for this loss. Thank you all for the sacrafice.
Tony J. Tempe, AZ
I had the chance to watch Pat Tillman during his time at ASU. The man was an incredible competitor and instilled fear into his opponents. I remember feeling happy for him when he was selected by the Cardinals in '98. He was an amazing player. However, he was more importantly, an amazing man. How many people in this day and age can honestly walk away from a lifestyle most people can only dream of, to serve his country and make the ultimate sacrifice because he felt it was the right thing to do? Not many, and not many people are like Pat Tillman. I remember seeing him around campus. He pretty much kept to himself but was never too busy to say "hi" to me when we crossed paths. Today the Sun Devil family and this entire country lost a great man. Rest In Peace Pat Tillman.
Brian Bilderback (Eugene, OR)
At times like this we are not Ducks or Sun Devils. We are Americans. It is with gratitude and sadness that we reflect on the lives and deaths of those who guard our freedom. God Bless Pat, and God be with his family, his Alma Mater, his teammates, and his friends. He died a true American hero.