Leaving the Team

*When the U.S. invaded Afghanistan, Tillman decided to put his career to the side and join the U.S. military
*After finishing the 2001 season, he planned on enlisting in the army with his younger brother, Kevin
*Pat Tillman's choice to leave sports to join the military grabbed the media's attention
*Some had a hard time believing Tillman would give up being a professional athlete to join the military

*He and his brother went through training to become Army Rangers
*Assigned to second battalion of 75th Ranger Regiment in Fort Lewis, Washington
*Served in several tours of duty
-including time in Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom
-as well as a stay in Afghanistan to serve in Operation Enduring Freedom