Looking for Our State’s Pat Tillman
The story of Pat Tillman has been told often.
As it should be.
He gave up his career in the NFL, turning down a $3.6 million contract offer from Arizona and enlisting in the Army. He did so in the aftermath of Sept. 11, an event that touched something in Tillman’s soul. He hated what he’d seen happen on his homeland, and as a man who had spent his life striving to defeat every opponent, he decided to turn that focus from NFL teams to enemies abroad.
Tillman paid the ultimate price, being killed by friendly fire in the mountains of Afghanistan.
The thing is, there are thousands of men and women who, just like Pat Tillman, were motivated to join the military in the aftermath of Sept. 11.
And my guess is, there are many who, just like Pat Tillman, were athletes. High school athletes. College athletes. Rec athletes. They felt their competitive juices kick in on Sept. 11, and they turned that defeat-any-opponent, win-every-battle mentality toward al-Qaeda and the Taliban.
I am looking to share those stories on the 10th anniversary of Sept. 11.
Do you know someone who has a story to share? Do you have one of your own?
Please post a comment below or email me at jcarlson@opubco.com.
Remember, I am looking for people who:
1. Played sports.
2. Were affected by the events of Sept. 11.
3. Joined the military.
People with ties to the state of Oklahoma are preferred.
Every member of the military in a time of war makes sacrifices. All spend time away from family. Some have physical scars. Some lose their lives. Each and every one of those servicemen and servicewomen have a story of sacrifice worth sharing.
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Comments
Jenni, I have 2 sons that have chosen to serve our country. My oldest was a national merit finalist and high school cross country runner. He graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in 2010 and is currently training to be a search and rescue helicopter pilot. My 2nd son played high school and jr college baseball. He enlisted in the United States Army last September and will be deployed to Afghanistan in November. While I cannot help but fear for their safety, I cound not be prouder of how they have chosen to live their lives.
Bob Kalso-Del City, 1967, was one of Oklahoma’s answer’s to the Pat Tillman award.
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Having written about Bob, I know what a hero he was, but for this particular story, I’m looking for an athlete who was motivated by Sept. 11 to join the military.
Jenni