Is Former Sun Devil Pat Tillman a Hall of Famer? You Tell Us
An influential talking head believes Arizona State star and American hero Pat Tillman should be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Others aren’t so sure. What do you say, Sun Devils?
The Arizona Cardinals’ Super Bowl run placed former Sun Devil Pat Tillman back in the news, when HBO talking head Chris Collinsworth said he should be voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
It’s not a popular opinion. The Hall of Fame has stated that a player should be strictly judged based on his abilities as a player. That’s why Lawrence Taylor is in. That’s why Bob Kalsu is not.
- Great college players (Tillman: Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year; Kalsu: Oklahoma All-American)
- American heros (Tillman: Killed in Action, Afghanistan; Kalsu: Killed in Action, Vietnam)
- Not Hall of Fame professionals
But at Echo from the Buttes we don’t back down from a debate—especially involving one of the greatest Sun Devils of all time.
So, should Tillman be enshrined for his service and sacrifice? Or should the Hall of Fame be reserved for players who truly shine between the lines? Here’s what two experts think:
Quoth Chris Collinsworth: “If Pat Tillman doesn’t belong in the Hall of Fame, who does? Here’s a guy that turned down millions of dollars, a three-year, $36 million deal, to go fight for our country. I hope that that is the vote that they will take. This guy is the very essence of what we all hope the NFL and its players will ultimately be.”
Quoth Sports Illustrated’s Peter King: “I disagree. The Pro Football Hall of Fame mandates that players be judged on what they do between the white lines and nothing else. Tillman was a good NFL player, not a great one.”
What’s Your Take, Sun Devils?
Should Pat Tillman be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame? Let us know in the comments below.
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Hall of Fame? Nope.
Brave? Yep
If I want to take my kid to the Hall of Fame, I want to talk football.
If I want to talk to my kid about passing on money & fame for something you believe in even more, I’ll talk to him about Tillman.
I have to agree with Shawn.
UNLESS the Hall of Fame creates a special category for Pat, something having to do with CHARACTER. Then he would belong there. But as it stands Pat doesn’t belong in the HoF.
As much as I’d love to see his face enshrined there, as it stands now the HoF is not for Pat.
Pat Tillman was a great Sun Devil and he has, as Fordo says, huge character. But he is not a Hall of Fame player (pro or college). Frankly, I don’t think what he did should be classified as heroic, either. He’s a good American and we need more like him – but I don’t consider this to be heroic.
ABSOLUTELY. Pat is the most inspiring story that has to do with the NFL. If this type of sacrifice and courage was being seen regularly, that would be one thing, but it’s not. The NFL (and the sports-loving public) could certainly use the reminder that there’s something bigger than professional sports out there.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame shows the best the league has to offer. That statement is epitomized by the life and example of Pat Tillman. Furthermore, without guys like Pat Tillman fighting for this country, there would be no NFL.
I think he *absolutely* deserves to be enshrined in the Hall, and I think someday he will be.
No doubt Pat should be in the HOF. Aside from the fact that he was an explosive player, he was a great American. Visiting the HOF has become the equivalent of watching a prison line up. Between Lawrence Taylor, OJ Simpson and Michael Irvin to name a few, the HOF and the NFL have been tarnished. Mike Vick, Pac Man Jones, Matt Jones, Leon Lett (about 75% of all Dallas Cowboys for that matter) Tank Williams, and many others give the NFL a bad name. Players like Pat should be recognized for what they do both on and off the field. He should be in the HOF
College Football Hall of Fame: Yes
Pro Football Hall of Fame: No.