How He Started

*Born on November 6, 1976
*Parents: Mary and Patrick Tillman
*Oldest of 3 sons
*attended Leland High School
*Excelled in football
*Led his team to the Central Coast Division | Football Championship
*Talent got him a scholarship to ASU

*Thrived in the field and the classroom
*Helped his team have an undefeated season
*Made it to 1997 Rose Bowl game *Won the Pac-10 Defensive Play of the Year in 1997
*Selected ASU's Most Valuable Player in 1997
*Won other awards as a student-the Clyde B. Smith Academic Award in 1996 & 1997
-The Sporting News Honda Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 1997
-1998 Sun Angel Student Athlete of the Year

*Selected Arizona Cardinals in the 1998 NFL
*Earned his place as a starting player
*Set a new team record for the number of tackles in 2000
*He turned down a lucrative contract with the St. Louis Rams to stay loyal to his team, the Cardinals in 2001