NFL 4th of July Celebration: Greatest Patriotic Moments

4 of 5

TAMPA, FL – FEBRUARY 01: Arizona Cardinals fans wearing Pat Tillman jerseys (L-R) Dave Schile, Bruce Goff and Dave Schile Jr. look on outside of Raymond James Stadium before Super Bowl XLIII on February 1, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /

Pat Tillman leaves the NFL to join the U.S. Army

Patriotism affects everybody differently, but it almost never overrides what we perceive to be the faculties of logic. Pat Tillman was a solid defender for the Arizona Cardinals in 2001. Many expected him to get a solid payday to stay with the team as his contract was expiring that season. It was considered a formality as the team loved him.

Tillman was set to see his salary doubled in 2002, but he had a surprise in store for everybody. In May of that year, he announced he’d be leaving the NFL and would join the U.S. Army, aiming to serve his patriotic duty following the September 11th attacks. It was such a groundbreaking moment because no one had done it quite like that before. Giving up millions of dollar to serve your country.

Tillman became an inspiration. Then when he was killed in action in Afghanistan two years later, he became a martyr and role model for all true Americans to emulate.

Home/NFL Hot Takes