Pat Tillman R.I.P.

**Rich** · 24 Apr 2004, 03:21 AM

Now we get 17hours of boring draft tomarrow. Giants better get Manning.

Statement from VP and General Counsel Michael Bidwill

As you can imagine this has been a devastating day for all the Cardinals family. Our immediate thoughts and prayers are with his wife Marie, his brother Kevin, his parents, and all of his family members. Every day brave men and women are fighting and in some cases making the ultimate sacrifice for this country and today it has touched our family and touched Arizona.

In sports, we have a tendency to overuse terms like courage, bravery and heroes. Then someone special like Pat Tillman comes along and reminds us of what those terms really mean. The Cardinals and the National Football League were privileged to have Pat Tillman in its family and we are all weaker today following this loss.

This has been a terrible day. We learned this early this morning like many others in the country. Pat was a special guy. The last time we all saw him was in December when the Cardinals played at Seattle. Pat called us a few weeks before that game and told us he was stationed nearby and would like to bring his wife and his brother and some family members by to visit. He sat with my father and me, and others, and we actually have a photo he sent us and a card a few weeks after that day. His wife took that photo and it was a special day. Following the game, he went down and visited many of his teammates. I know everybody was really touched by his visit and he was doing what he was doing. This was his second time back in combat and it was a terrible loss for the National Football League and the Arizona Cardinals.

And this rawks:

In addition, the team plans to retire Tillman’s number 40 jersey, only the fifth retired number in club history (8–Larry Wilson, 77–Stan Maudlin, 88–J.V. Cain, 99–Marshall Goldberg). No player has worn the number 40 since Tillman last played for the team in 2001. The team also will be consulting with the National Football League regarding display of Tillman’s number ‘40’ on team apparel.

...

**voltz** · 24 Apr 2004, 01:52 PM

I heard about this guy going to war awhile back and it really saddens me he didn't make it.

If they play football in heaven, there's a new "40" waiting for him. R.I.P.

**Eight One** · 24 Apr 2004, 01:54 PM

"Pat knew his purpose in life," McGinnis said. "He proudly walked away from a career in football to a greater calling."

Respect.

**The_Meach** · 24 Apr 2004, 02:21 PM

*salute*

**Rocca** · 24 Apr 2004, 02:36 PM

Wellwishes. RIP.

**Opaque** · 24 Apr 2004, 05:01 PM

I have never heard of anyone being more of a stand up guy.

Much Respect.

R.I.P.

**Sqoon** · 25 Apr 2004, 02:27 AM

He's from south San Jose and went to the high school down the street from where I live, so there's a strong sense of mourning, respect, and community around here.

R.I.P.