Late NFL legend killed in Afghanistan to be honoured at Super Bowl LVII

12 February 2023 , 18:19

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Pat Tillman during his time playing college football for the Arizona State Sun Devils (Image: J.D. Cuban /Allsport)

An NFL legend - branded the ultimate American hero - who was killed in Afghanistan while serving his country will be honoured at Super Bowl LVII.

Pat Tillman was a safety for the Arizona Cardinals after being selected in the 1998 Draft making 340 tackles during his career. Tillman became the most famous player in the Cardinals' history in the spring of 2002 when he turned down a three-year £3million contract and joined the army instead.

His decision came just eight months after the 9/11 attacks, which shocked America with Tillman choosing to join the elite 75th Ranger Regiment.

Tillman was hailed as the ultimate American hero, the guy who chose serving his country and fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan over the pampered life of a millionaire sportsman.

Teams tried to lure him back to the NFL with lucrative offers, aware that he would now be a massive commercial draw. However, Tillman vowed to see out his three-year period of service.

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On April 22, 2004, less than a month after he was deployed to Afghanistan, he was killed in the hills of Sperah, near the Pakistan border, by friendly fire. After his death the Cardinals retired his No.40 jersey. There is also a statue of Tillman outside their stadium. The army veteran was also awarded the Silver Star.

Arizona Cardinals defensive back Pat Tillman left the NFL to join the army

The NFL contributed £207,000 for the construction of the Pat Tillman USO Center recreational facility on the Bagram Air Base near Kabul.

Nearly 19 years after his death he is set to be honoured at Super Bowl LVII with four Pat Tillman Foundation Tillman scholars chosen to serve as honorary coin toss captains for Sunday's showcase.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said: "Pat Tillman made the ultimate sacrifice for our country and we are committed to ensuring that his life and legacy are forever honoured and celebrated across the entire NFL family. "Pat loved football, but most importantly, he was grounded in service to others and making a difference in this world.

"We are so proud of the Tillman Foundation and the Tillman Scholar's program whose mission is to help leaders make real change. These four Tillman Scholars have done just that and we are honoured to have them join us on the field to represent the Pat Tillman Foundation as this year's coin toss captains."

Benjamin Goddard