22 Years Ago, NFL Star Pat Tillman Died in Afghanistan After Turning Down Millions of Dollars to Become an Army Ranger

Pat Tillman during his service (left) and in the NFL
Credit: Alamy Stock Photo; Gene Lower /Sports Illustrated via Getty

NEED TO KNOW

• Pat Tillman was a safety for the Arizona Cardinals from 1998 to 2002
• In 2002, Tillman decided to walk away from his NFL career to serve in the U.S. Army
• More than two decades after Tillman was killed during his service, his loved ones honor him through charity, celebrating the causes he cared for

Those closest to late NFL star Pat Tillman continue to honor the things that mattered to him, more than two decades after his death.

Pat's Run is the Pat Tillman Foundation's signature annual fundraiser. The organization was set up to identify "remarkable military service members, veterans and spouses, empowering them with academic scholarships, lifelong leadership development opportunities and a diverse, global community of high-performing mentors and peers."

Tillman was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in 1998 and served as a safety for the team through 2002. Moved by the events of Sept. 11, 2001, the NFL player turned down a $3.6 million contract to stay with the team, choosing to enlist in the U.S. Army instead.

It was during his time serving in Afghanistan in 2004 that Tillman was killed at the age of 27. His death was later determined to have resulted from friendly fire during an ambush on his platoon.

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Co-founder Perry Edinger joined The Mike Broomhead Show, where he explained how they're still honoring Tillman and his legacy, over two decades after his death.