AFP/Getty Images – A statue honoring the late Arizona Cardinals Pat Tillman in Glendale, Arizona. Tillman never lived to … TAMPA, Florida (AFP) – Pat Tillman never lived to see the Arizona Cardinals reach the Super Bowl, but the defender who gave up a fortune to become a soldier remains an inspiration to his former team.
The Cardinals will try to end a 61-year title drought on Sunday when they face the Pittsburgh Steelers for the National Football League championship, the realization of what had been Tillman's dream.
"I think he's looking down right now and he's really excited for us and he's really ticked off he's not down here getting ready to play in the Super Bowl," Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill said.
Tillman was a safety for Arizona but turned his back on a 3.6 million-dollar National Football League contract following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on New York and Washington and enlisted in the US Army.
Joining his brother Kevin in the US Army Rangers to fight in Afghanistan, Tillman was killed in 2004 at age 27 in a friendly fire incident, a tragedy deepened by a cover-up that made it seem he died while fighting the Taliban.
"I remember when Pat made that choice and everything that followed," said Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner, who was leading the St. Louis Rams to the 2002 Super Bowl when Tillman was leaving the NFL.
"There's no question he is an inspiration for what he did, what he stood for and his attitude. It's a choice I appreciate and respect and it inspires me very much.
"You think about his situation and the choice he made and I think there are very few in this league that would make the same choice. We're spoiled and pampered to a degree and you live in that world.
"He was living for a bigger purpose and that went way beyond the game and way beyond money."
Tillman's jersey number, 40, has been retired by the team but remains one of its top sellers. A statue of Tillman stands at a memorial plaza outside the Cardinals home stadium. Tillman family members were invited to the Super Bowl.
Cardinals safety Adrian Wilson, whose first NFL season was Tillman's last, became the man Tillman tauight to take his place.
"Pat helped me learn the playbook. He helped me learn the ins and outs of the game, how to practice and learn a lot of things that I didn't know," Wilson said.
"He eventually knew I was going to be the guy who took over his spot and he didn't have any problems with that.
"Pat did a lot for this team and this organization. It took a lot of people to get us to this point. It gives everyone a great sense a pride."
Wilson wants Tillman's character to be remembered by a team that already prides itself on selflessness.
"Not every man is going to make that decision," Wilson. "It speaks volumes to the type of person he was."
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