PHOENIX -- Pat Tillman, who was killed in Afghanistan in
2004 after quitting the NFL's Arizona Cardinals to join the U.S.
Army Rangers, is scheduled to be honored by the team this weekend.
During a ceremony at halftime of Sunday's game against the
Dallas Cowboys, the Cardinals plan to induct Tillman into the
University of Phoenix Stadium's Ring of Honor.
The team also will dedicate the outdoor pedestrian walkway
ringing the stadium as Pat Tillman Freedom Plaza and unveil a
bronze statue of him near the Glendale venue's northwestern corner.
Tillman's parents and widow are among those expected to attend
the ceremonies.
"We honor a lot of individuals for what they accomplished on
the field," Cardinals spokesman Mark Dalton said. "But what he
did away from the field, displaying his conviction and principles
and what he stood for, is what you'd hope every member of the
organization would stand for."
Tillman, who would have turned 30 last Monday, was drafted in
the seventh round in 1998 out of Arizona State where he was voted
Pac-10 defensive player of the year.
He started for three years as strong safety for the Cardinals.
But after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Tillman turned
down a $3.6 million contract and left the team before the 2002
season to enlist in the Army.
Tillman was killed on April 22, 2004, when members of his own
platoon fired in his direction in an incident that remains under
investigation by the Army.
The Cardinals retired his No. 40 jersey after his death.