Pat Tillman wasn’t just an NFL player—he was the last from the league to trade his cleats for combat boots. After playing four seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, Tillman walked away from a multi-million-dollar contract to serve his country. What pushed him to that decision? The 9/11 attacks. Like millions of Americans, it shook him. But unlike most, Pat acted in a way that still stirs something deep in people.
Tillman’s legacy has reached another milestone—one that stretches from Tucson to the rest of the world. Recently, ESPN received six nominations for the 2025 Webby Awards, which celebrate excellence in digital storytelling and innovation. ESPN’s ‘Pat Tillman: The Battle Within‘ is nominated for Best Writing (Editorial).
Co-authored by ESPN’s Tod Robberson and William Weinbaum, The Battle Within tells the story of Pat Tillman’s tragic death—how the former NFL player left his career with the Arizona Cardinals to serve in the U.S. Army, only to be killed by friendly fire in Afghanistan. The piece also explores the aftermath: the military’s attempt to frame his death as the result of an enemy ambush—and the painful truth that surfaced later.
On Monday, ESPN sportswriter Jeremy Schaap took to X to share his congratulations on X (formerly Twitter), highlighting the significance of this recognition.
The Battle Within, on the legacy of Pat Tillman’s death by friendly fire, co-authored by my colleagues Tod Robberson and Willie Weinbaum, has been recognized with a Webby nomination for best writing. Congrats to Tod and Willie and all their fellow nominees. https://t.co/imDoXZfu96
— Jeremy Schaap (@JeremySchaap) April 7, 2025
In just a few weeks, it will be 21 years since Tillman lost his life in a fire incident in Afghanistan on April 22, 2004. And yet, the Silver Star and Purple Heart recipient’s story continues to resonate. Tillman’s legacy—rooted in grit, sacrifice, and a refusal to be ordinary—has taken on a life of its own.
What began as a bold decision to leave the NFL has become something far bigger than football. It’s about courage, conscience, and choosing something greater than yourself. As the 21st anniversary of Tillman’s passing approaches, hundreds gathered in Arizona to honor him.
Arizona gathers to honor Pat Tillman’s unforgettable journey
Pat Tillman always shared a special bond with Arizona. He played college football at Arizona State University, and in 1998, the Cardinals picked him up in the draft. At one point in his career, he even turned down a $9 million offer from the St. Louis Rams—choosing loyalty to the Cardinals over a bigger paycheck. That’s just who Pat was: driven by principle, not profit.
Arizona will always be a central part of Pat Tillman’s story. And it’s safe to say the state holds him just as close to its heart. On April 5, hundreds of Tucsonans gathered at Michael Perry Park for the annual Tillman Honor Run—a tribute that’s been running strong since 2005, just one year after his tragic passing. The run spans 4.2 miles, a number chosen with purpose. It honors the jersey Tillman wore at ASU—No. 42.
Organized by the ASU Alumni Association and the Pat Tillman Foundation, the event is more than just a physical challenge. It’s a moving reminder of the legacy Tillman left behind: one of service, sacrifice, and unshakable conviction. Every step taken helps raise funds for the Pat Tillman Foundation, continuing the mission he started and carrying his memory forward with every mile.
Every year, hundreds show up to honor the young hero. This year was no different. Tucsonans gathered once again, not just for a beloved athlete but for a young hero who chose service over fame. Pat Tillman will always be remembered not just for his plays on the gridiron but for walking away from it all to answer a higher calling. That’s the kind of legacy he has, one that won’t fade with time but will only grow stronger.
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