History of Pat Tillman in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: July 16, 2026

Pat Tillman was an American professional football player who left a lucrative NFL career with the Arizona Cardinals to enlist in the United States Army following the September 11 attacks. Driven by a sense of duty, he served in both Iraq and Afghanistan as an Army Ranger. In April 2004, Tillman was killed in action in Afghanistan. Initially, the U.S. military reported his death as the result of enemy fire, but it was later revealed to be a tragic case of friendly fire. His family's subsequent efforts to uncover the truth regarding the circumstances of his death drew significant national attention. Tillman is widely remembered as a symbol of sacrifice and integrity, having eschewed fame and fortune to serve his country during a time of crisis.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

July 9, 1918: Establishment of Authorization Act

On July 9, 1918, an Act of Congress was established, which later served as the legal authority for awarding the Silver Star to individuals like Corporal Patrick D. Tillman for gallantry in action.

July 25, 1963: Amendment to the 1918 Act

On July 25, 1963, an amendment to the July 9, 1918 Act of Congress was enacted, further regulating the criteria and authorization for military decorations such as the Silver Star.

November 6, 1976: Birth of Patrick Daniel Tillman

On November 6, 1976, Patrick Daniel Tillman was born, marking the beginning of the life of the future American professional football player and soldier.

1983: Patrick Tillman Sr. Earns Juris Doctor

In 1983, Patrick Tillman's father successfully completed his legal education and earned his Juris Doctor degree from the Lincoln Law School of San Jose.

1994: Beginning of College Football Career at Arizona State

In 1994, Pat Tillman began his collegiate football career as a linebacker for Arizona State University after securing the team's final available scholarship.

1996: Clyde B. Smith Academic Award

In 1996, Pat Tillman received the Clyde B. Smith Academic Award for his outstanding academic achievements while studying marketing.

1997: Academic and Athletic Honors

During 1997, Tillman was recognized with the Clyde B. Smith Academic Award for the second consecutive year and was named The Sporting News Honda Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

1997: All-American Honors

In 1997, Pat Tillman achieved the distinction of earning first-team All-American honors while playing college football for the Arizona State Sun Devils.

1997: Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year and Team MVP

In 1997, Tillman achieved significant athletic recognition by being voted the Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year and being named the MVP of Arizona State University's football team.

1998: Pat Tillman drafted by Arizona Cardinals

In 1998, Pat Tillman began his professional football career after being selected as the 226th overall pick by the Arizona Cardinals in the NFL draft, where he received a $21,000 signing bonus and transitioned to the safety position.

1998: Sun Angel Student Athlete of Year

In 1998, Pat Tillman earned the Sun Angel Student Athlete of Year award, marking a significant milestone in his collegiate academic and athletic career.

2000: Named to 2000 NFL All-Pro Team

In 2000, Pat Tillman was recognized by Sports Illustrated writer Paul Zimmerman as an NFL All-Pro selection following an impressive season where he recorded 155 tackles, 1.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, nine pass deflections, and one interception for 30 yards.

2001: Completion of the 2001 NFL Season

During the year 2001, Pat Tillman completed the final 15 games of his football season in the wake of the September 11 attacks.

May 2002: Enlistment in the U.S. Army

In May 2002, Pat Tillman turned down a $3.6 million contract offer from the Arizona Cardinals to enlist in the United States Army.

May 31, 2002: Enlistment in the U.S. Army

On May 31, 2002, Pat Tillman and his brother Kevin officially enlisted in the United States Army together.

September 2002: Completion of Basic Training

In September 2002, Pat and Kevin Tillman successfully finished their shared basic training requirements.

September 2003: Enrollment in Ranger School

Following his involvement in the invasion of Iraq, Pat Tillman began his training at Ranger School at Fort Benning, Georgia, in September 2003.

November 28, 2003: Graduation from Ranger School

Pat Tillman successfully completed his training and graduated from Ranger School on November 28, 2003.

2003: Receipt of the Arthur Ashe Courage Award

In 2003, Pat Tillman was honored with the Arthur Ashe Courage Award during the annual ESPY Awards ceremony hosted by ESPN, recognizing his notable character and actions.

April 2004: Gallantry and Death in Afghanistan

During April 2004, Corporal Patrick D. Tillman served as a Rifle Team Leader in Afghanistan. On April 22, 2004, he displayed exceptional leadership and courage during an enemy ambush, maneuvering his team to safety while sustaining a mortal wound. He was posthumously awarded the Silver Star for his actions.

April 22, 2004: Death of Patrick Tillman

On April 22, 2004, Patrick Tillman died while serving in Afghanistan; it was later determined that his death was the result of friendly fire, a revelation that sparked significant controversy and media coverage.

April 28, 2004: Approval of Silver Star Citation

On April 28, 2004, Lieutenant General Stanley McChrystal approved the Silver Star citation for Pat Tillman, which officially described his death as occurring under intense enemy fire, despite internal suspicions of friendly fire.

May 28, 2004: Notification of Friendly Fire Death

On May 28, 2004, the Pentagon informed the Tillman family that Pat Tillman had died due to friendly fire in Afghanistan, contradicting earlier reports that claimed he was killed by enemy combatants.

September 19, 2004: NFL Memorial Tribute to Pat Tillman

On September 19, 2004, all NFL teams honored Pat Tillman by wearing a memorial decal on their helmets. While the Arizona Cardinals chose to display the decal for the remainder of the 2004 season, other individual player requests, such as that from Denver Broncos quarterback Jake Plummer, were denied by the league to maintain uniform consistency.

2004: Pat Tillman's Death in Afghanistan

In 2004, Pat Tillman was killed while serving in Afghanistan. His brother, Kevin Tillman, was traveling in a convoy behind him at the time of the incident, though he did not personally witness the event that led to Pat's death.

May 4, 2005: Washington Post report on Pat Tillman's death investigation

On May 4, 2005, The Washington Post published a report based on findings from Brigadier General Gary M. Jones, revealing that Army officials were aware that Pat Tillman was killed by friendly fire shortly after the incident. Despite this knowledge, military leadership proceeded with awarding him the Silver Star and Purple Heart, as well as a posthumous promotion, while the truth of his death remained obscured from the public.

2005: East–West Shrine Bowl Hall of Fame Induction

In 2005, Pat Tillman was honored as the sole inductee into the East–West Shrine Bowl Hall of Fame and was further recognized by his selection to the East–West Shrine Bowl All-Century Team.

March 4, 2006: Criminal Investigation into Tillman's Death

On March 4, 2006, the U.S. Defense Department Inspector General ordered the Army to launch a formal criminal investigation to determine if Pat Tillman’s death was caused by negligent homicide.

November 2006: Forensic Investigation into Tillman's Death

In November 2006, two forensic pathologists conducted an investigation into Pat Tillman's autopsy report and photographic evidence. Their findings suggested that his death was likely caused by friendly fire originating from an M249 light machine gun, noting the weapon's high rate of fire and precision capabilities.

March 19, 2007: U.S. Army CID Investigation Report Conclusion

On March 19, 2007, a summary from the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID) confirmed that Pat Tillman and an Afghan militia soldier were killed by friendly fire. The incident occurred when members of Tillman's platoon mistakenly fired on each other amidst the confusion of a firefight, having misidentified nearby gunfire as coming from enemy forces.

March 26, 2007: Pentagon Report on Pat Tillman's Death and Coverup

On March 26, 2007, the Pentagon officially released a report detailing the circumstances surrounding the death of Pat Tillman and addressing the subsequent investigation and coverup regarding the friendly-fire incident.

April 24, 2007: Congressional Testimony Regarding Pat Tillman's Death

On April 24, 2007, Specialist Bryan O'Neal testified before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, revealing that he had been ordered by superiors not to disclose that Pat Tillman was killed by friendly fire. During the same hearing, Kevin Tillman testified that the military intentionally misled the public regarding his brother's death to protect the reputation of the war effort.

July 13, 2007: Congressional Investigation into Tillman's Death

On July 13, 2007, Representatives Henry Waxman and Tom Davis announced that the Bush administration and the Pentagon were obstructing the investigation into Pat Tillman's death by withholding crucial documents and invoking executive privilege to block further congressional requests.

July 26, 2007: Media report on potential circumstances of Tillman's death

On July 26, 2007, journalist Chris Matthews utilized his program Hardball to suggest that Pat Tillman might have been intentionally killed by fellow soldiers. The report cited observations from medical examiners regarding the precision of the bullet wounds, which implied the possibility of a close-range shooting rather than an accidental combat death.

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August 13, 2007: Veterans Urge NFL to Release Tillman Documents

On August 13, 2007, a group of 20 U.S. military veterans representing VoteVets officially petitioned NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to use his influence to secure the release of all government records concerning the death of Pat Tillman.

2007: Pentagon Report on Death

In 2007, the Pentagon issued an official report regarding the 2004 incident, formally ruling that Pat Tillman's death in Afghanistan was the result of a friendly fire accident.

July 14, 2008: Release of the House Committee Report on the Tillman and Lynch Episodes

On July 14, 2008, the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform published a report titled "Misleading Information from the Battlefield: The Tillman and Lynch Episodes." The report highlighted significant challenges in their investigation, specifically noting that senior officials at the White House and within the military claimed a widespread lack of memory regarding the events surrounding the deaths of Pat Tillman and the handling of the Jessica Lynch incident.

October 2010: Completion of the Mike O'Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge

In October 2010, the Mike O'Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge was officially completed, serving as a highway bypass around the Hoover Dam and spanning the Colorado River between the states of Nevada and Arizona.