One of the most selfless, and patriotic Americans ever serve in the United States Military in years was Pat Tillman. Tillman enlisted into the .S. Army in 2002 following the terrorist attacks on soil. He left behind a lucrative contract for football for the Arizona Cardinals. Many Americans view as a man of strong moral and ethical , who put aside a life of personal wealth serve his country in its time of need.

on November 6, 1976 in Fremont, California, Tillman in sports. He led his high school football , Leland High School, to a championship in his year. He earned a full, football scholarship to at Arizona State University in 1994. He was Pac 10 Player of the Year in his year, and was selected by the Arizona Cardinals the 1998 NFL draft. Selfless during his entire , Tillman turned down a five-year, $9 million contract the St. Louis Rams because of his loyalty the Cardinals, and to his fans.

Following the 11 attacks, Tillman turned down a $3.6 million with the Cardinals to enlist into the Army help combat terrorism. Along with his brother Kevin, turned down a career in professional baseball, the men completed basic training, and were sent overseas. served several successful tours of duty in both , and Afghanistan before he was killed on April , 2004. The details surrounding his death became a in the months after he was reported killed action. Originally, the army listed his death as related. It wasn't until approximately one month after death that the army changed the cause of to friendly fire. Tillman's family claimed the army Tillman to advance its image during a dark in U.S. history. His death by friendly fire, means he was killed by U.S. military personnel, the enemy, caused a backlash against the army.