A Tribute to Pat Tillman

November 6, 1976 - April 22, 2004

A Poem by Jerry Mitchell of Apache Junction, Arizona

Men like him are far and few

He left a life of luxury

for the red, white and blue.

Growing up as a kid

he always gave it his all,

And when he got to ASU

his goal was to play football.

After a great career at ASU

He was one of the very few

who could still play football

and have some fun,

So he played for the Cardinals

in the Valley of the Sun.

After 911 he would learn

that to serve his country

was now his turn.

He went away to war

to do his part.

And when he came back,

all of us

had a broken heart.

He left his family, his friends,

and a wonderful wife

but this is the way

he wanted to spend his life.

We'll never know why he died

But we were all proud

to have him on our side.

Pat (left) and his brother Kevin in Saudi Arabia (2003)

On May 27, 2010, Pat Tillman was selected to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. He was enshrined on July 16, 2011.

Pat Tillman's Class of 2011 enshrinement plaque at the College Football Hall of Fame

Click here to learn more about the Pat Tillman Foundation