Late Arizona Cardinals‘ legend, Pat Tillman is to be honored at this year’s Super Bowl. The NFL has decided on four Pat Tillman Foundation scholars to act as coin toss captains for Super Bowl LVII. Tillman served in the US Army from 2003 to 2004 before getting killed in Afghanistan.

The foundation came into picture to honor Tillman’s memory after his tragic death in 2004. It was initiated by his friends and family. Subsequently, it became a huge agency supported by scholars and footballers across the world. The foundation remembers Tillman by “giving military service members, veterans, and spouses who embody those principles the educational tools and support they need”.

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Who was Pat Tillman?

Tillman was a celebrated NFL player who played in the Arizona Cardinals. He was born in 1976 in San Jose, California. He showed his challenger mentality early in his high school itself. Tillman joined the Leland High School’s football team and led the team to a Central Coast Division I Football Championship.

Interestingly, he was told that he is ‘too small’ to ever play football. Not only did he become a professional NFL player, he was also drafted by the popular NFL team, Arizona Cardinals in 1998. Afterwards, he broke the franchise’s record for tackles in 2000 with 224.

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Tillman’s career in the US Army

In 2002, he shocked the world by keeping his NFL career on hold to enlist in the US Army with his brother, Kevin. He never spoke of his choice publicly and committed to the army for a three-year term. He was assigned to the 75th Ranger Regiment in Fort Lewis, Washington. Moreover, he served in Iraq during the Iraq Freedom in 2003 and in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom, in 2004.

Unfortunately, the Afghanistan tour had been the last tour of his life. On April 22, 2004, Tillman’s unit was ambushed and he was killed in action covering for his fellow soldiers.