Pat Tillman loses his life

[Clarkmeister]

Gives up millions of dollars in the NFL and leaves behind a newlywed wife to serve our country. He ends up sacrificing his life.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=1788232

[B-Man]

[adios]

[ThaSaltCracka]

The NFL should do something with his legacy. There is much for pro athletes to learn from this mans short but magnificent life. Such a an unselfish man, I am also saddened by his death, as I am of all the young men and women who have died over there.

The good always die young..... [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

[Boris]

Why is he such a role model? What makes his death so much different from any other American that has died in this misguided war?

[ThaSaltCracka]

They way he lived his life both on and off the playing field and on and off the battlefield.
Boris, please don't try to politicize his death or that of any other soldiers.

[Josh W]

Boris -

He went over there for one simple reason. HE WANTED TO. He didn't enlist in the Army years ago because he had little direction. He didn't enlist hoping to get to see the world.

Many soldiers enlist because they want to serve their country. And, when they enlist, they don't know if they'll ever see conflict. Some hope they do, some hope they don't.

He enlisted KNOWING he'd see conflict. And he also knew that he had the ultimate life of luxury if he chose to not enlist.

How many soldiers go into the service in any given year, giving up millions of dollars, even more value in a family, and limitless possibily stateside to serve their country overseas? Please answer this question with a healthy estimate.

Every life lost is tragic. Uber tragic. I'm not trivializing that. In fact, I think that all may be equally tragic.

Some are just a little more selfless. Selflessness is a GREAT role-model-trait. I'm surprised you didn't know that.

Josh

[Boris]

I am not sure that selflessness is a great role-model trait. I do agree that it was a great thing for Tillman to give up his NFL career to try and hunt down terrorists.

[HDPM]

[ QUOTE ]
Boris -

He went over there for one simple reason. HE WANTED TO. He didn't enlist in the Army years ago because he had little direction. He didn't enlist hoping to get to see the world....





Some are just a little more selfless. Selflessness is a GREAT role-model-trait. I'm surprised you didn't know that.

Josh

[/ QUOTE ]

I think these ideas are contradictory. I am not sure at all that selflessness is a good thing. Actually, I am fairly certain that it isn't. True, enlightened selfishness can be very good, and be mistaken for selflessness. Anyway, I don't want to criticize Tillman. I don't know his situation or all the things he took into account in making his decision. And I agree that his death is not something to politicize. I will just say that all of us should think of all the implications of the decision he made. He had responsibilities to his family and he chose to give up money and go do a riskier thing (ironic) than pro football. HYPOTHETICALLY, what if he went for very selfish reasons and hurt his family? HYPOTHETICALLY, what if his reasons were irrational? I cannot say it was a selfless decision, yet I am in no position to criticize it either. I hope all goes as well as possible for his family. He certainly stood up for what he believed in and paid a heavy price for it. Of such stuff heros and role models are often made.

[southerndog]

He is an American Hero. He is what is great about this country.