An American

Pat Tillman was serving as an Army Ranger in Afghanistan when he was killed in a firefight. While he isn't the first, and likely won't be the last, he is receiving special mention because he was a professional football player for the Arizona Cardinals before joining the Army. He turned down a 3.6 million dollar contract with the Cardinals in order to serve his country as a soldier.

Here in America, our atheletes are venerated almost as gods. For some, the amount of money they make is the mark of their prestige. There is no practical difference between making 5 million and 10 million dollars. In either case, you'll be able to afford the best of everything.

And Pat Tillman gave it all up because he believed in something bigger than football and his salary. I'm no fan of John McCain but I have to agree with him here:

"There is in Pat Tillman's example, in his unexpected choice of duty to his country over the riches and other comforts of celebrity, and in his humility, such an inspiration to all of us to reclaim the essential public-spiritedness of Americans that many of us, in low moments, had worried was no longer our common distinguishing trait," Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., said in a statement.

This isn't the first time he's shown his true colors either:

Layden said that Tillman was exceptionally loyal. Before making the decision to join the Army, he turned down a more lucrative contract with the St. Louis Rams because he wanted to continue playing for the team that gave him his NFL start — the Cardinals.

As a resident of the Pacific Northwest, I think back to the examples set by Ken Griffey Jr. and Alex Rodriguez. Both of their baseball careers were made with the Seattle Mariners and both left the team for what I would consider less than noble reasons. Griffey claimed he wanted to be closer to his family. A-Rod left simply for a bigger paycheck. The Mariners are better off without them if you ask me. I'd rather have players like Edgar Martinez and Jay Buhner (who retired a couple years ago).

According to the article on MSNBC.com:

According to Army officials at the time, Pat Tillman wanted no special treatment, wanted no special attention, but wanted to be considered just one of the soldiers doing his duty for his country.

Pat Tillman did not receive any special treatment. He could have continued to receive such treatment as a pro football player but he choose to serve. In the end, he gave his life doing his duty to his country as a member of that most special and deservedly celebrated brother- and sisterhood: American Soldiers. And that is how he should be remembered.

Oh and I don't want to die for you
But if dyin's asked of me
I'll bear that cross with honor
'Cause freedom don't come free

I'm an American soldier, an American
Beside my brothers and my sisters
I will proudly take a stand
When Liberty's in jeopardy
I will always do what's right
I'm out here on the front lines
Sleep in peace tonight
American soldier
I'm an American
--American Soldier, Toby Keith