California native Pat Tillman entered the spotlight playing for the Arizona State University Sun Devils football team in the late 1990s, where he excelled in the defensive backfield and as a high performing student. In 1998 he joined the Arizona Cardinals and soon after set a team record for number of tackles in a season.
In 2002 Tillman put aside the celebrity and riches of a NFL career to enlist in the U.S. Army with his younger brother Kevin. They joined the 75th Ranger Regiment and served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Two years later, Tillman was killed in action in eastern Afghanistan in an incident of "friendly fire." His post-9/11 patriotic actions and his death gained immediate national attention, overshadowing his personal story. Beyond the publicity surrounding his life story, Tillman's actions and character have inspired a legacy of service impacting Arizonans and beyond.
Join us for a historical perspective on the life of Pat Tillman, featuring individuals who knew him and who have been inspired by his service. NFL Star to Army Ranger: A Closer Look at the Life of Pat Tillman will be held on Saturday, October 27 at 10:30 a.m. at the Downtown Chandler Library.