News of the death of former Arizona Cardinals and Arizona State University linebacker Pat Tillman brought in a barrage of mail from those expressing their grief and admiration for the soldier. Tillman was killed April 22 in Afghanistan while serving his country with the U.S. Army Rangers. He was 27. He graduated summa cum laude in 1997 from ASU with a degree in marketing and a 3.84 grade point average. He was a linebacker with the Sun Devils football team from 1994 to 1997 and was the Pac-10 defensive player of the year in 1997. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in 1998, and turned down a new contract with the Cardinals in 2001 to serve his country.

An ASU awards ceremony honoring athletes and their academic achievement will be dedicated to Pat Tillman at 7 p.m. May 2 in Wells Fargo Arena. During the ceremony the song “Hero” will be played along with a video/slide presentation. The Sparky Awards Ceremony is open to the public ($10), youth and seniors ($5), with proceeds going to the newly created Pat Tillman Scholarship Fund. The scholarship will be awarded annually to a student in the W.P. Carey School of Business who is studying marketing.

ASU athletic director Gene Smith also said the Sun Devils will retire Pat Tillman’s No. 42 jersey after the 2004 season. The Cardinals said they will retire Tillman’s No. 40 and name the plaza surrounding the new stadium under construction in Glendale the “Pat Tillman Freedom Plaza.”

3rd District Congressman John Shadegg’s office is sending Tillman’s family a Gold Star Banner, which honors soldiers killed in the line of duty.

Below is a sampling of tributes from public officials:

U.S. Senator John McCain

“When Pat made his choice to leave the NFL and became an Army Ranger, he declined requests for interviews because he viewed his decision as no more patriotic than that of his less fortunate, less renowned countrymen who loved our country enough to volunteer to defend her in a time of peril. It is that first lesson in patriotism that we should affirm in our own lives as we celebrate the courageous life and mourn the heroic death of this most honorable American.”

6th District Congressman Jeff Flake

“Nowadays, genuine role models in professional sports are few and far between, but Tillman proved that there are still heroes in sports.”

5th District Congressman J.D. Hayworth

“Pat Tillman achieved the American dream and died fighting to defend it for others. He epitomized the unselfish patriot, stepping forward to answer the call of his conscience and willingly making the ultimate sacrifice to defend this nation against terrorism. In mourning his tragic death, we celebrate Pat’s exemplary life with a commitment to do whatever it takes to win the battle he fought so heroically.

3rd District Congressman John Shadegg

“Pat Tillman was a true American hero, like all the members of our Armed Forces serving in Afghanistan and Iraq.”

Governor Napolitano

“Each and every Arizonan who has died in conflict overseas has made the ultimate sacrifice that humbles us all. Pat Tillman occupies a special place in our hearts. His incredible willingness to give, for the sake of his values and his country, will be a source of pride to Arizona for generations to come … He was a remarkable young man.”

House Speaker Jake Flake

“What made Pat Tillman special was not simply that he sacrificed, but what he sacrificed. By giving up fame and fortune to serve his country, Pat reminded us that selflessness is still a higher virtue than selfishness. Along with many others, I pay tribute to this remarkable American.”

Senate President Ken Bennett

“Pat Tillman’s death in the service of our country reminds us that courageous people every day in our military forces are sacrificing greatly to preserve our freedom. I hope Mr. Tillman’s passing will also cause us to reflect on the other Arizonans and Americans who have given the ultimate sacrifice.”

Senator Bob Cannell

“Pat Tillman had his priorities straight. He had the courage to follow his convictions. Mr. Tillman demonstrates that we still have heroes in this country, and I hope that young people will be challenged to follow his example of devotion to his country.”

Senator Jim Weiers

Regretfully, the price of freedom has always been costly in both lives and sacrifices. Pat Tillman gave for us to receive. It is sad that there are those who take advantage of those sacrifices without regard to their own personal responsibilities to this great nation. There is a reason that the color red is in our flag. Red, the color of blood, was chosen with the understanding that lives were lost and would continue to be lost to secure and more importantly protect the freedoms we take for granted every day. Honoring those, like Pat Tillman, will not be in vain if we will learn that liberty continues to be paid by the blood of our brave men and women.”

Senator Mark Anderson

“Pat Tillman’s life is a lesson in character for all of us. Bravery, humility, integrity, service and patriotism are the traits that he embodied. He answered the call of his conscience to live for a higher purpose. His example says more to our young people than all the graduation speeches they will hear this year. Pat Tillman is Arizona’s hero.”

Senator Dean Martin

“The service and the sacrifice of Pat Tillman hold special meaning for me, since we were both business majors at Arizona State University at the same time. My wife and I used to sit in the student section at ASU stadium together watching him play. September 11, 2001, was the Pearl Harbor of our generation. Pat gave up the American Dream, a multimillion-dollar NFL contract, to fight to protect us from those who would take that dream away. Pat Tillman’s service and sacrifice for his fellow Americans is proof that the values of the Greatest Generation still live on through their children and grand-children. We should honor Pat’s service and sacrifice by never forgetting what happened on Sept. 11, and the freedoms that Pat fought and died to protect.”

Senator Jay Tibshraeny

“Pat Tillman personifies what the founding of this country was all about. Patriotism, sacrifice and service above self, defined his life. Pat Tillman was a look back at the type of people who helped build our country. He was a breath of fresh air in today’s somewhat cynical society. We can all take a lesson from his actions and heroism.”

Senator Slade Mead

“I think like many Arizonans I was shocked and saddened when I heard the news of his death. His unselfish decision to enlist with the Army Rangers and walk away from a lucrative NFL contract certainly surprised many. I applaud his convictions to act. To then hear that he made the ultimate sacrifice is a sobering reminder of the carnage of war. My condolences to the Tillman family. He will be greatly missed.”

Bob Fannin, chairman, Arizona Republican Party

“We are all deeply saddened by the loss of Pat Tillman, but inspired by his courage. Our deepest sympathy goes out to the family of a heroic young man. It is now more important than ever to continue our hard work on behalf of our president and his pursuit of freedom.”

Senator Jack Harper

“Pat Tillman’s sacrifice has brought attention to the commitment that all of our service persons have to their country. This year I sponsored S1067 to exempt active duty military pay from state income tax. That bill has not received a vote in the Senate because of the $11.6 million cost to the general fund. The governor’s plan for all-day kindergarten will cost the state $250
million. I believe our rights and freedoms depend on our service people. This country will

survive without all-day kindergarten. We should make our military service members a priority.”

Michael Crow, Arizona State University president

“Pat Tillman was an outstanding ASU graduate who understood that we are in a global war and he volunteered to be part of that. He fully understood the risks, yet he went to defend his country, and he gave up his life. Pat was an extraordinary young man who brought credit to us all.”

Mary Rose Wilcox, Maricopa County Board of Supervisors

Our prayers are with the Tillman family. It is my hope that while we honor and commend his selfless sacrifice that we look to find ways of peace in this world.”

Andy Kunasek, board chairman, Maricopa County Board of Supervisors

Pat Tillman is an American hero. His sacrifice, and the sacrifice of all Arizonans who gave their life for their country, should serve as inspiration for us, our children, and our children’s children.”

Christine Wilkinson, ASU senior vice president and secretary

I knew Pat well, and he exemplified all that it means to be a scholar-athlete. Pat was so grounded; he always had a direction and set high goals for himself. …His drive for excellence was at the core of everything he did. He not only competed at every single level, he achieved at the highest levels and on his own terms, both in the classroom and on the football field. He was a leader. We are thankful for his sacrifice but so saddened by this tremendous loss.”

Don Stapley, Maricopa County Board of Supervisors

He embodied values of love of family, love of community, and love of country, and like a pioneering Arizonan, he did things in a big way.”

Max Wilson, Maricopa County Board of Supervisors

Yes, we will remember the tenacious football player, and the outspoken Cardinal. But, most of all, we will remember Pat Tillman as a man of strength, courage, and honor.” —