Former Arizona Cardinals safety Pat Tillman joined the Army shortly after 9/11. In April of 2004, he was killed in action in Afghanistan. Tuesday would have been his 42nd birthday.
The late Pat Tillman would've turned 42 today.
Gone. But never forgotten. pic.twitter.com/M9ZFCXteJx
— NFL (@NFL) November 6, 2018
Tillman was selected in the seventh round of the 1998 NFL Draft. He played with the Arizona Cardinals for four years, making the Pro Bowl in 2000.
He turned down a contract offer of nearly $4 million to join he Army.
On his birthday, many in the football world took the time to honor Tillman and his legacy.
Remembering Pat Tillman, who was born on this day 42 years ago.#SaluteToService pic.twitter.com/ciLQra4LXR
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) November 6, 2018
Today No. 42 would have turned 42.
Today and every day we honor his legacy. Happy birthday, Pat.#PT42 pic.twitter.com/jOE8oYD2M3
— Arizona State Sun Devils (@TheSunDevils) November 6, 2018
Happy birthday to Pat Tillman!
A 7th-round pick in 1998, he quickly became one of the NFL's top safeties, leading all DBs with 145 tackles in 2000.
A year later, Tillman left football to join the U.S. military. In 2004, he died serving his country.
He would have been 42 today. pic.twitter.com/KSqsq54VXL
— NFL Legacy (@NFLLegacy) November 6, 2018
https://twitter.com/ZaneG_5/status/1059874763353587714
Remembering legendary Pat Tillman today, who would have been turning 42.#SaluteToService pic.twitter.com/uI7l6QGpXI
— NFL Films (@NFLFilms) November 6, 2018
"Somewhere inside, we hear a voice. It leads us in the direction of who we wish to become. But it is up to us whether or not to follow.” – Pat Tillman
Born on this day in ’76.
Pay homage. pic.twitter.com/zuygnPMV34
— HOMAGE (@HOMAGE) November 6, 2018
https://twitter.com/Matt_McL5/status/1059899362484973568
The fact that Tillman’s birthday is also Election Day was not lost, either.
On a day that we go out and exercise our voting rights, we remember Pat Tillman, a man who fought and died for our rights.
Today is his birthday, and Tillman would've been 42. #RestInPeace pic.twitter.com/88I26uDkJF
— FOX 10 Phoenix (@FOX10Phoenix) November 6, 2018
Certainly well deserved tributes for a great man.