Pat
Tillman—The Heart of a Champion
by Robert Yoho, Columnist and Senior Editor
"Eye on Conservatism"
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Almost
a week after he died in Afghanistan, former Arizona Cardinals safety Pat Tillman
(right) was posthumously awarded the Silver Star for his actions in fighting "without
regard for personal safety."
Recently, the teams of the National Football League were drafting the college players who will join their professional ranks for the upcoming season. No doubt some of the most highly regarded players will fail to live up to their potential; others will greatly exceed the most optimistic expectations of those who draft them. The reason for these conflicting outcomes is relatively simple: in football, as in life, it is often difficult to measure character or the size of one’s heart.
Pat Tillman was just such a person—a young man of character with a big heart. From his brief career on the gridiron, nobody questioned the man’s toughness or work ethic. However, the size of Tillman’s heart is most fully revealed in his decision to forsake a lucrative NFL contract to become an Army Ranger. And the young man’s big heart sounded for the last time—not in pursuit of gridiron glory—but rather, in the defense of our country.
Football scouts and coaches can accurately gauge a man’s speed in the 40-yard dash; they can measure his weight and height; they even have the means to test his physical strength and dexterity. But there is no tape measure that can evaluate the size of a man’s heart and his commitment to excel.
Despite the fame, wealth, and attention he garnered in his NFL career, Tillman knew that none of those things really mattered. But it was Tillman’s heart—his heart knew what truly mattered! And in the end, he gave his life for those ideals. A young man, who could have made untold millions on the gridiron, willingly offered his life on the crucible of freedom.
"In sports we have a tendency to overuse terms like courage and bravery and heroes," said Cardinals Vice President Michael Bidwill, "and then someone like Pat Tillman comes along and reminds us what those terms really mean."
"Duty, honor, and country"—those qualities mattered to Gen. Douglas McArthur; they mattered to Pat Tillman also! Scales and stopwatches measured Tillman’s ability on the football field, but none of the NFL scouts could have predicted the size of this young man’s heart. Every beat of that heart represented the very best qualities about this country and the reasons we have remained free.
These Arab extremists love to go on television and talk about America—our vast materialism and moral decadence. They tell us that our young people are all depraved and selfish. Yet for every one of these Muslim blowhards, I can show you a Pat Tillman!
The young man’s former status as a player in the NFL does not make his death any more noteworthy than any of those throughout history who have died in the service of our country. However, his death is merely indicative of the men who keep liberty’s flame burning brightly. I am proud to say that our country still produces young men such as these. The attacks of 9/11 didn’t destroy them; it bred them!
Contained within the Ranger Creed are the words: "Never shall I fail my comrades. Energetically will I meet the enemies of my country. Under no circumstances will I ever embarrass my country."
Pat Tillman certainly lived those words! He died leading a counterattack on those who ambushed the members of his unit. Tillman died for his comrades and his country. He gave his all defending America. Most of all, the former Cardinal made us all proud!
Perhaps there were other college players drafted recently who might have taken Tillman’s place in the Cardinals’ starting lineup. Maybe they were faster and stronger. It is conceivable that they might have been more talented in tackling a ball carrier or breaking up a potential touchdown pass. However, none of them could measure up to Pat Tillman when it came to his heart.
No matter the size of your own heart, it still has to bleed for
the friends and loved ones of this fine young man. In all the things that truly
mattered, Pat Tillman was definitely a Hall of Famer! ***
© 2004 Robert Yoho
COPYRIGHT © 2004 BY THE AMERICAN PARTISAN. All writers retain rights to their work.
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