# EX-NFL player killed in Afghanistan

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ex-nfl-player-killed-in-afghanistan/241651>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [April 23, 2004, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ex-nfl-player-killed-in-afghanistan/241651 "2004-04-23T15:58:13Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![The\_Mad\_Hermit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b5ac83/32.png) [@The\_Mad\_Hermit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Mad_Hermit)\
**Post date:** [April 23, 2004, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ex-nfl-player-killed-in-afghanistan/241651/1 "2004-04-23T15:58:13Z")

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[Here is the MSNBC article.](http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4815441/)

> [@](#):
>
> Pat Tillman, who gave up a lucrative NFL contract with the Arizona Cardinals to join the Army Rangers, was killed in action in Afghanistan, military officials said Friday.

I was impressed with his courage and selflessness when he joined up. Seeing that he’s now dead- it makes me wonder about other friends I have in the war zones.

There are no details of the death. I hope he didn’t suffer. He will be remembered- someone is probably preparing the clip to be shown at the draft this weekend.

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**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\
**Post date:** [April 23, 2004, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ex-nfl-player-killed-in-afghanistan/241651/2 "2004-04-23T16:22:35Z")

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What an impressive individual. I remember him playing but bon’t think I’ve ever seen him interviewed. When guys like this go down, it really sends a clear message as to just how tough the situation in Afghanistan really is.

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**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\
**Post date:** [April 23, 2004, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ex-nfl-player-killed-in-afghanistan/241651/3 "2004-04-23T16:41:30Z")

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I seem to recall that his brother also joined so that they could serve together. It’s sad and certainly very tough on his family to lose a son like this, just as it is for any family to lose such a young person. But he did what he wanted to do, serve his country, and so played life on his own terms. There aren’t a lot of people who have the courage of their convictions like this.