#Silver highlights professional#

The two brothers completed the Ranger Assessment & Selection Program in late 2002 and were assigned to the 2nd Ranger Battalion in Fort Lewis, Washington. In September 2002, they completed basic training together. Tillman and his brother Kevin enlisted on May 31, 2002. In May 2002, eight months after the September 11 attacks and after completing the 15 remaining games of the 2001 season which followed the attacks, Tillman turned down a contract offer of $3.6 million over three years from the Cardinals to enlist in the U.S. In addition he also had 1 rush attempt for 4 yards and returned 3 kickoffs for 33 yards. Tillman finished his career with totals of 340 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 3 interceptions for 37 yards, 3 forced fumbles, 15 pass deflections, and 3 fumble recoveries in 60 career games. Sports Illustrated football writer Paul Zimmerman named Tillman to his 2000 NFL All-Pro team after Tillman finished with 155 tackles (120 solo), 1.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, 9 pass deflections and 1 interception for 30 yards. Louis Rams out of loyalty to the Cardinals.

Īt one point in his NFL career, Tillman turned down a five-year, $9 million contract offer from the St. Tillman moved over to play the safety position in the NFL and started ten of 16 games in his rookie season. In the 1998 National Football League Draft, Tillman was selected as the 226th pick by the Arizona Cardinals. Tillman's Arizona Cardinals jersey on display alongside his military jacket and other items at the NFL Experience during Super Bowl XLVI. Tillman was also posthumously inducted into the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame in 2018. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2010. Smith Academic Award in 19 the Sporting News Honda Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 1997 and the 1998 Sun Angel Student Athlete of Year. He also earned many academic awards including: the Clyde B. Academically, Tillman majored in marketing and graduated in three and a half years with a 3.85 GPA. In the same year, Tillman was also named Arizona State's MVP. In 1997, he was voted the Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year. As a junior, he helped his team go undefeated that season as well as helping them make it to the Rose Bowl that year. Tillman excelled as a linebacker at Arizona State, despite being relatively small for the position at 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) tall. He started his college career as a linebacker for Arizona State University in 1994, when he secured the last remaining scholarship for the team. He also was very close with his brother, Kevin Tillman, who enlisted with and served alongside him. Tillman was very committed to his high school sweetheart, Marie Ugenti Tillman, whom he married just prior to his enlistment in the Army. He repeatedly mentioned in his personal journals during wartime service that he drew strength from and deeply valued his closest friendships, parents, wife and family. Tillman was very close to his family and high school friends. Tillman then went to Arizona State University on a football scholarship. In his sophomore year he decided to concentrate on football. In his freshman year of high school he was catcher for his baseball team, but did not make the varsity team. He went to Bret Harte Middle School and helped lead Leland High School to the Central Coast Division I Football Championship. The oldest of three sons, with Kevin and Richard as the other two, Tillman played competitive football. Tillman was born on November 6, 1976, in Fremont, California, the son of Mary (Spalding) and Patrick Kevin Tillman. 6.1 Questions surrounding Tillman's death.

He also received posthumously the Silver Star and Purple Heart medals. Tillman was posthumously promoted from specialist to corporal.

#Silver highlights professional#

Tillman was the first professional football player to be killed in combat since Bob Kalsu, who died in the Vietnam War in 1970. The family and other critics allege that the Department of Defense delayed the disclosure until weeks after Tillman's memorial service out of a desire to protect the image of the U.S.

Controversy ensued when a month later, on May 28, 2004, the Pentagon notified the Tillman family that he had been killed by fire from his own side. At first, the Army reported that Tillman had been killed by enemy fire. Tillman joined the Army Rangers and served several combat tours before he was killed in the mountains of Afghanistan. His service in Iraq and Afghanistan, and subsequent death, were the subject of national attention when he was killed in action as a result of friendly fire. (November 6, 1976 – April 22, 2004) was an American professional football player in the National Football League (NFL) who left his sports career and enlisted in the United States Army in May 2002 in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks.