Pat Tillman Petition

[Danny]

members to sign the Pat Tillman Petition

Mr. Tagliabue,

We the undersigned hereby would like to recognize the contributions of Pat Tillman to our great country. During a time when professional athletes spurn an image of being greedy and selfish individuals, Pat broke the image by patriotically putting aside a lucrative multi-million dollar contract in order to serve his country during a time of great need. We encourage you to remember Pat Tillman during opening week with a moment of silence as well remembering him throughout the season with a patch on the jersey and/or a helmet sticker worn by all 32 teams during every game of the 2004-2005 season. Please do not let Pat’s courage be forgotten.

Thank you.


Sincerely,

Please sign the petition

here is the thread

http://www.petitiononline.com/PAT_NFL/petition.html

[SirFozzie]

I'll sign this the second I get home.

The Cards should consider renaming their stadium Pat Tillman Stadim

[Peregrine]

Hmm sounds like something worth signing, but Tagliabue, remember, and Commissioner being misspelled in the petition thingy kind of threw me off.

[cartman]

I might be in the severe minority right now, but I think that Pat Tillman would be pissed off at all of the attention paid to him right now. He shunned any requests for interviews once he entered basic training, and said he wanted to be treated like any other soldier. That carried over to when he entered active duty. I think he would not want the attention directed to him, but rather celebrations/memorials for all servicemen and servicewomen we've lost, and the ones still in harm's way.

I also feel bad for his brother, who evidently was in the same unit as him and probably in the same firefight.

[Danny]

Originally Posted by Peregrine

Hmm sounds like something worth signing, but Tagliabue, remember, and Commissioner being misspelled in the petition thingy kind of threw me off.

True, but in the actual petition, the grammer is better. I saw this at the Raiders message board I frequent and thought I post it over here and at OOTP forums.

[Huckleberry]

During a time when professional athletes spurn an image of being greedy and selfish individuals, Pat broke the image by patriotically putting aside a lucrative multi-million dollar contract in order to serve his country during a time of great need.

Someone should write a second draft. And cartman is correct.

[BigJohn&TheLions]

I agree with Cartman. I was going to post something similar. Tillman did not join the army to grab headlines. His death is no worse than the hundreds of others killed. They volunteered, just like he did. They are dead, just like he is. God bless them all.

[RendeR]

You know, I'm having this same arguement with my wife atm, is it me or does no-one else see that by exemplifying this man's nature, and what he did to support what he believed in will not simply glorify him, but will bring attnetion to each and every one of our military members that go out and risk their lives every day?

They don't get enough attention, EVER, and if something like this, can get a symbol of their sacrifice on the players helmets or uniforms even for a season, it will have garnered them a thousand fold the amount of notice and respect than they normally see.

[Danny]

Originally Posted by BigJohn&TheLions

I agree with Cartman. I was going to post something similar. Tillman did not join the army to grab headlines. His death is no worse than the hundreds of others killed. They volunteered, just like he did. They are dead, just like he is. God bless them all.

I realize the NFL gets a lot more media attention than most organizations, but had he been a member of a lesser known organization, would he not be honored?

I think giving the current NFL players a little better perspective on things might be a good thing as well.

I realize many soldiers die and I have great respect for them all, but when negative stories like Eli Mannings is the main focus of the NFL, positive attention towards a former member of their orginization would do some good I think.

[Danny]

DOLA, and as RendeR stated, this will also mean more positive attention towards our soliders as well.

[Huckleberry]

But shouldn't we honor what we know to be the wishes of a deceased soldier? Tillman made it quite evident throughout his service that he wanted to be treated the same as every other soldier and wanted no special attention.

The fitting tribute from the NFL would be a United States flag patch. Any patch that has his initials or references him only would seem to be against his wishes. And a fitting tribute from the Cardinals and Arizona State would be to rename Sun Devil Stadium to Memorial Stadium, or name the new stadium they want to build Memorial Stadium. They could then prepare to place plaques with the name of each deceased soldier from these conflicts, including but not limited to Tillman.

Despite the valid opinion that more attention is better for all soldiers, this particular soldier would not have wanted this attention.

[Danny]

As for his wishes, that should be left up to his family. I assume they would have to approve of anything the NFL does. If they wish to not get any attention then that's what should be done.

[Leonidas]

Originally Posted by SirFozzie

I'll sign this the second I get home.

The Cards should consider renaming their stadium Pat Tillman Stadim

Maybe the new stadium, but the current stadium is Sun Devil Stadium, owned by Arizone State University. And somehow I suspect the Bidwell family would feel to great a need to sell the new stadium name to some company to follow this line of thought. Maybe someone in Arizona has the scoop on this issue.

[BigJohn&TheLions]

How many soldiers have died and barely been mentioned during the time that Mr. Tillman had recieved all of this relentless non-stop press? (that he would not want)

[BishopMVP]

Originally Posted by BigJohn&TheLions

How many soldiers have died and barely been mentioned during the time that Mr. Tillman had recieved all of this relentless non-stop press? (that he would not want)

I've said essentially the same thing today to a couple people but basically, that shoudn't detract from the attention paid to him.

Every single soldier that is fighting for us deserves our support and recognition. They don't get nearly the amount of attention and commendation they deserve. I know most people in the armed forces would say something along the lines of "I'm just doing what I think is right, don't worry about it," but they do deserve recognition for doing that. The members of the armed forces only get widespread attention when they die, and even then it is only if you have some sort of a personal connection (you know them, they were local, you've heard their name because they turned down an NFL contract to join up.) Every one should get just as much attention as another, and they should be honored a lot more everyday rather than just when you see their casket returning. But, for whatever reasons, that just isn't how it is here. Pat Tillman wouldn't have wanted the inordinate and disproportionate amount of attention paid to him, but that doesn't mean we should decry and complain about it when it happens.

It is kind of hypocritical because I have thought the same things, but there is no need to tarnish the good he did and the example he set because we feel the media is unfairly focusing on him.

[GrantDawg]

Originally Posted by Huckleberry

But shouldn't we honor what we know to be the wishes of a deceased soldier? Tillman made it quite evident throughout his service that he wanted to be treated the same as every other soldier and wanted no special attention.

I have done way too many funerals, and worked with many grieving families, and I have to tell you, no.

A funeral (or rememberances in this case) is for the living not for the dead. He has gone beyond such things (whether you're religious or not, you must recognize that) and the people who are now in pain and need are living. People many times request no funeral, a closed casket, or something of the like as a sign of modesty, embarassment, or their own lack of ability to deal with grief. Any request of the like should be recognized, but not strictly followed because people need to greive and to have closure.

Pat Tillman, being a football player who made an honorable choice in joining the military, was a man who touched many lives (whether he desired it or not). There is a degree of mourning that everyone who knows him goes through, and it is not a good thing to ignore it. Fans do not have the same level of grief as the family and friends of Pat Tillman, so it should be their choice on how much publicity and such should be done. I hope though that they don't just follow his percieved wishes and instead recognize what kind of good can come from honoring him.

[Anthony]

while i'm saddened about Tillman's death, i'm no more saddened by it than i would be Johnny Smith from Iowa that you'll never hear about. Tillman made no more of a sacrifice than anyone else who died. this is what's wrong with our culture - we place celebs on pedestals for things that other people do (Ted Williams/Joe DiMaggio going off to fight a war) without fanfare.

i don't know how you can single out Tillman based on his occupation when others have made an equal sacrifice.

[Young Drachma]

The Cardinals have said they'll retire No. 40 in his honor. Apparently, no one had worn it since he'd left the team.

I don't think there is anything wrong with the NFL honoring him. For example, my college has several memorials of the students who fought and died in World Wars I and II on buildings with their names. I recognize its different, but I think an institution should recognize an individual who makes a sacrifice like this.

It's still a news story, just like when they went in - because athletes of today just don't generally have these sort of characteristics. So, its refreshing and well....its good to hear about it.

But I don't think anyone obviously believes that his sacrifice is greater than some street kid who signed up to leave his neighborhood or guys from here in the boons who do the same thing everyday. But they're revered by other people. Maybe not the media, but lots of other folks care about them, too.

[Huckleberry]

GrantDawg -

Well, you see, I just think it's absolutely silly that so many sports fans are "in pain" right now. Where was the pain when the 109 other soldiers died in Afghanistan? Certainly his family and friends need to deal with the grieving process because of his death.

Bishop -

Nobody is tarnishing the good he did. And Pat Tillman didn't set this example. The example has been set by thousands in our past. He was just the only one from current professional sports to follow it. But then again, I'm also someone that finds it really odd to call "you've heard their name because they turned down an NFL contract to join up" a "personal connection" in any way. I've just never felt like I have a personal connection with people I don't know.

[GrantDawg]

Originally Posted by Huckleberry

GrantDawg -

Well, you see, I just think it's absolutely silly that so many sports fans are "in pain" right now. Where was the pain when the 109 other soldiers died in Afghanistan? Certainly his family and friends need to deal with the grieving process because of his death.

Are you so sure they haven't? My advice is to speak for yourself. Some people do have things called emotions, and just because you don't doesn't mean they shouldn't either.

[Huckleberry]

Originally Posted by GrantDawg

Are you so sure they haven't? My advice is to speak for yourself. Some people do have things called emotions, and just because you don't doesn't mean they shouldn't either.

I don't think I've ever seen a post more hypocritical than that one.

Maybe you should think about the fact that emotions are exactly why I don't understand the reaction here. I am saddened (an emotion) every time I hear of another American death in the war. I was saddened (more emotion) when I heard about Tillman's death, but not any moreso than I was saddened (notice a trend?) when I heard about other deaths.

Funny that you could make such a ridiculous and false accusation disguised in the form of a very weak flame one sentence after telling me to speak for myself.

[GrantDawg]

Originally Posted by Huckleberry

I don't think I've ever seen a post more hypocritical than that one.

Maybe you should think about the fact that emotions are exactly why I don't understand the reaction here. I am saddened (an emotion) every time I hear of another American death in the war. I was saddened (more emotion) when I heard about Tillman's death, but not any moreso than I was saddened (notice a trend?) when I heard about other deaths.

Funny that you could make such a ridiculous and false accusation disguised in the form of a very weak flame one sentence after telling me to speak for myself.

I agree it was pretty mean (and I'm sorry), but I just don't get you. I'm going to feel saddened by any loss, but when it is someone you know more about, it will hit closer to home. That is natural. I'm not grieving him like he was my best friend, but he was someone I knew more about (and will naturally feel closer to) than someone I never heard of.

On top of that, the more people who know someone, the more noteworthy there death. I don't see how that is a slight to anyone else. That's is all I'm saying.

[NYFAN]

The thing that makes him so great, is so simple. He had the opportunity to be a multi-millionaire set for life. He had the opportunity to make himself out to be the greatest thing ever on TV. He did none of it. That sacrifice should be noted, it should be exemplified. If only for the purpose of saying hey, don't look at the DWI's, rape convictions, murder allegations, when you look at a professional athlete to "model" yourself after as a kid - and face it, kids do. Look at a guy who was so unselfish he gave up everything material, and died for his country.

Tillman may not have wanted to appear any better than his fellow servicemen/women, and deep down he wasn't. But what he did do was more unusual because of the circumstances he came from, use him as an example for what people should be, how could he not want that, isn't that in part what he died for? Every serviceman/woman deserves this type of recognition, and they usually do by the people who touched their lives (their community, family, friends). Well Pat Tillman had a larger audience, and it doesn't make him better, but it does make him different and it makes him a great role model for many more people.

[druez]

What I find strange is all the press he is getting. I don't think this is what he would of wanted do you?

He wouldn't interview or do anything special because he said he was the same as any other serviceman. So, I don't think he would like the fact that he is being treated so differently then the rest of our fallen servicemen.

I think he is couragous and should be admired, I just found the media to be loosing site of what Pat Tillmen was and what he stood for.

[NYFAN]

Tillman probably wouldn't "want" to be made to be anything more than a serviceman. On the same hand, I find it hard to think that in today's world he wouldn't want to serve as a role model, or positive example, and that's all I think is happening right now. He did a great thing, and he should be recognized for it, but I think he would want this attention to also be distributed to other servicemen/women.

For example, I think he would like the patch to represent the armed forces, not just himself. I think he would like the Cardinals to celebrate all of the people who have dedicated their lives to their country, not just him - for example naming the stadium for war heros. On the same hand, I think a statue would be appropriate considering the relationship between him and the Cardinals.

[druez]

Originally Posted by NYFAN

Tillman probably wouldn't "want" to be made to be anything more than a serviceman. On the same hand, I find it hard to think that in today's world he wouldn't want to serve as a role model, or positive example, and that's all I think is happening right now. He did a great thing, and he should be recognized for it, but I think he would want this attention to also be distributed to other servicemen/women.

For example, I think he would like the patch to represent the armed forces, not just himself. I think he would like the Cardinals to celebrate all of the people who have dedicated their lives to their country, not just him - for example naming the stadium for war heros. On the same hand, I think a statue would be appropriate considering the relationship between him and the Cardinals.

Well said.