Ex-NFL Player Killed in Afghanistan

April 23, 2004 — -- Pat Tillman, a former NFL player who swapped a lucrative football career to enlist in the U.S. Army, was killed in action in southeastern Afghanistan, U.S. military sources said today.

The 27-year-old former football player was killed in direct action during a firefight in eastern Afghanistan Thursday, Pentagon sources told ABCNEWS.

A former member of the Arizona Cardinals, Tillman, along with his brother Kevin, enrolled with the U.S. Army Rangers a year after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks.

According to a Pentagon source, Tillman was killed in action when his unit's patrol was attacked by small arms and mortar fire during a coordinated ambush in eastern Afghanistan. His family has been notified, a Pentagon source said.

Two U.S. soldiers were wounded and one enemy combatant was killed during the ambush.

Tillman's brother, a former minor league baseball player with the Cleveland Indians, is in the same platoon.

The news of his death came as a shock to fans and teammates. Michael Bidwill, vice president of the Arizona Cardinals, said the news was like a "kick in the gut."

And in a statement released today, NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue said Tillman "personified all the best values of his country and the NFL."

While extending his sympathy to the Tillman family, Tagliabue said the former football player had made "the ultimate sacrifice and gave his life in the service of our country."

The White House said in a statement that Tillman was "an inspiration both on and off the football field. As with all who made the ultimate sacrifice in the war on terror, his family is in the thoughts and prayers of President and Mrs. Bush."

Ever since his shocking decision to walk away from a promising professional sports career, Tillman's popularity shot up, even as he consistently declined to grant media interviews.

Last year, Pat and Kevin Tillman were awarded an Arthur Ashe Courage Award meant for individuals whose contributions transcend sports. The award was accepted by their younger brother, Richard, while the brothers were away.