2006-10-24 15:23:58 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Football (American)
He left football to be killed by friendly fire.
2006-10-25 00:51:44 · answer #1 · answered by smitty 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First off he died in Afghanistan not Iraq which has been implied in other posts. The reason it generated so much press, was the fact that he could have stayed here in the US and made millions playing football. He instead chose to take a pay cut to around 1500 a month and serve his country. There arent many athletes around that are anywhere near his caliber. Tillman was an American before he was a football player and in todays age that is a rare thing. The way he died by friendly fire generated some press but if it had been any other soldier it wouldnt have generated near as much press. FF happens sometimes its unfortunate, but due to it being Tillman the press blew it out of proportion.
2006-10-24 17:23:54 · answer #2 · answered by Donna w 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
By walking away from millions of dollars, and the glamour and fame of the NFL, to serve his country. This is a patriotic, heroic thing the likes of which we just don't see very often.
And it was controversial because he died by friendly fire, which appears may have been covered up by the military. I think it's still being investigated though.
Now his brother, who has been discharged from active duty, has been writing pieces and garnering some publicity of his own by invoking Pat's name in coming out against the war.
2006-10-25 05:07:37 · answer #3 · answered by Lawn Jockey 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's quite uncommon for someone earning millions of dollars to leave their position to enter a warzone. Add the frenzy of NFL fanaticism and the publicity is naturally intesified.
On top of that, this high profile man dies as a result of friendly fire. The war itself is controversial...add these factors and all of the attention was natural.
By the way, it was a Canadian soldier that killed him, not American.
2006-10-24 15:30:39 · answer #4 · answered by Albert 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because he was in the Army and because one of our own guys killed him and they wanted to show there respect or cover up something. ( Dont really know )
2006-10-24 16:18:13 · answer #5 · answered by Lety 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
cover up his death due to friendly fire
2006-10-24 15:29:47 · answer #6 · answered by steve w 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think it was because because the army lied and said he was killed by enemy fire but really another u.s. soldier shot him by accident
2006-10-24 15:26:48 · answer #7 · answered by Adam P 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋