Pat Tilman: HOF Material?

[BigJohn&TheLions]

When Reggie White died there was an effort to push him up into the HOF this year. The HOF said no. The interesting thing in an ESPN article that I noticed was that is said that the induction rules will not be broken, as they were not for Pat Tillman.

This blew me away. What Tilman did in sacrificing his life instead of playing football was amazing in todays world filled with athletes like Randy Moss and Terrell Owens. But what he did in his life should have no bearing on whether he should be a member of the HOF.

Simply put, he had a good, but short career. The HOF is about greatness. His career was simply not a HOF career...

If we break the rules for Tillman, what about the players who went to war in WWII, Korea, and 'Nam? I'm not sure if any died in the later two, but I am sure that several did not return from action in WWII. To put Tilman in the HOF would mean that each of these players should be in also.

Maybe a plaque in the HOF commemerating and listing the pro football players who gave thier lives in service for this country would be a better approach... I don't recall seeing such a thing in Canton when I visited.

[Radii]

Maybe a plaque in the HOF commemerating and listing the pro football players who gave thier lives in service for this country would be a better approach... I don't recall seeing such a thing in Canton when I visited.


I've never been to Canton or Cooperstown(they are very high up on the list of places I must visit during my lifetime). Is there something in cooperstown on Ted Williams and all the other players who left baseball for WWII(whether they are in the hall or not as individual players?). I definitely think there should be and think what you're suggesting would be a great idea as well.

Really I don't think giving your life should be a requirement here... just the idea of interrupting your career to serve your country in a time of war is something that shoudl warrent inclusion in such a HOF exhibit.

[Eaglesfan27]

I agree. Should he be in the "Hall of Fame of Life?" Absolutely. Should he be in the HOF for Football? No. I think a plaque honoring all of the football players who died in wars during their careers would be nice.

Edited to add: I like Radii's idea as well. Have a plaque for all of those brave men who interrupted their pro football careers to serve their country and another plaque honoring those who lost their lives in service of their country.

[cody8200]

Maybe a plaque in the HOF commemerating and listing the pro football players who gave thier lives in service for this country would be a better approach... I don't recall seeing such a thing in Canton when I visited.


Great idea.

[maximus]

Man, I really created a monster. :p

[sabotai]

Pat Tillman seemed to me the kind of guy who wouldn't want to be put into the HOF based on him leaving football to join the military and dying for the country.

[Ryan S]

I don't think Tilman should be inducted into the hall of fame, but I think that hall of fame should have some sort of Tilman exhibit.

[Joe]

how many interceptions did he have?

[Suicane75]

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[Ben E Lou]

I agree. Should he be in the "Hall of Fame of Life?" Absolutely. Should he be in the HOF for Football? No. I think a plaque honoring all of the football players who died in wars during their careers would be nice.

Edited to add: I like Radii's idea as well. Have a plaque for all of those brave men who interrupted their pro football careers to serve their country and another plaque honoring those who lost their lives in service of their country.Word.

[Ryan S]

I would place his jersey and a small plaque somewhere in the hall.

If they have space for the "<!--StartFragment -->shoes Arizona Cardinals placekicker Neil Rackers wore when he tied an NFL record on October 24, 2004 when he connected on three field goals of 50 yards or more yards." and the "headset used by Buffalo Bills' radio play-by-play man Van Miller during the Bills season finale at New England.", they have a place for a Tilman jersey.

[BigJohn&TheLions]

I like Radii's idea as well. Have a plaque for all of those brave men who interrupted their pro football careers to serve their country and another plaque honoring those who lost their lives in service of their country.

Why not one plaque for all, tastefully done with notations of those who died.

Like on the Brooklyn Bridge it lists the engineers ars John Roebling & Washington Roebling. John has a cross next to his name, signifying that he died. (His son Washington then took over.)

A cross, star, or whatever next to the name would show their sacrifice and still list them next to their brothers who thankfully returned...

[CamEdwards]

here's a bit from the football hall of fame on those who've died in service to their country.

http://www.profootballhof.com/history/release.jsp?release_id=88

On a related note, I went to school with Bob Kalsu's nephew and knew his son and daughter. I don't think they ever pushed for Bob's inclusion into the HOF.

[WussGawd]

I can say this as an Arizona State alumnus and occasional Cards watcher:

No, Pat Tilliman does not belong in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, with bronze bust, etc. Truth is, he was often a step slow at strong safety, and not big enough to be a linebacker in the NFL. The year he left to join the Army, it was a very open question considering some of the talent drafted (and let go, as it turned out) as to whether Tillman would have retained the starting job. (I believe ihe would have). Forgetting the heroic decisions he made as a human being (and Pat Tillman makes me very proud to be a Sun Devil, every day) for a moment, does that sound like a hall of famer to you?

Having never been to Canton, I'm not sure if the NFL honors its other fallen football players who gave their lives for their country. If so, he should be part of that. If not, it's high time the NFL think about one. I don't think Pat was an individual awards kind of guy...judging by his time here, anyway. I think the adulation he's received in the last year (though earned) would have probably embarrassed him at the level and frequency that it occurred.

On the other hand, I think he'd be a fine candidate for the College Football Hall of Fame. Pound for pound, he was the hardest hitter I've ever seen in his four years at Arizona State. Considering his strong achievements academically and athletically there, I'd vote him in first ballot for that, if I had a vote.

[Radii]

here's a bit from the football hall of fame on those who've died in service to their country.

http://www.profootballhof.com/history/release.jsp?release_id=88

On a related note, I went to school with Bob Kalsu's nephew and knew his son and daughter. I don't think they ever pushed for Bob's inclusion into the HOF.


Very cool.

[Pyser]

i think his number should be retired by the cards. im pretty sure the giants did that for a player who died in WWII. i dont think he was all that great a player, but still gets a very special place among giants...up there with LT and Simms and such.

[clintl]

You are overblowing this. All that was said was that the HOF refused to make him eligible immediately, not that he was a shoe-in for induction. Even if he had been made eligible, the chances that he would have been elected are miniscule, especially with the quality of the other candidates on this year's ballot. 5 years from now, his chances will be zero. He probably won't even make the final ballot.

[Fritz]

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why?

[Suicane75]

why?

Because.

[Fritz]

Because.

Oh.

[Suicane75]

Oh.

Because he was not a Hall Of Fame football player.
Why not put in Mike Utley and Dennis Byrd while we're at it?

[Joe]

a career of 331 total tackles, 2.5 sacks, and 3 interceptions does not warrant induction into the hall of fame.

[SlapBone]

Maybe Brian Bosworth could be put in the HOF for inerrupting his football career to go into the movies.

(For the record , this was just a joke no way intended to equate Brian Bosworth with Pat Tillman)

[WussGawd]

Maybe Brian Bosworth could be put in the HOF for inerrupting his football career to go into the movies.

(For the record , this was just a joke no way intended to equate Brian Bosworth with Pat Tillman)

As a Seahawks fan, I can tell you that I've crapped better football players than Brian Bosworthless.

He should not even be named in the same post as a war hero. :D

EDIT: Realized you were joking, added a smiley.

[Joe]

http://media.dailycollegian.com/pages/tillman_lobandwidth.html

[Pumpy Tudors]

http://media.dailycollegian.com/pages/tillman_lobandwidth.html
Oh, boy, here we go again.

[WussGawd]

Oh, boy, here we go again.

What you expected somebody named after a poor President to not kick up a controversy?

[Joe]

its not like i wrote it