We interrupt our regularly scheduled chronicling of the decay and leftward lurching of the sports media, and, well, sports in general, to bring you this rare thing that we are so infrequently able to bring you.
We call this thing good news.
The good news is that Arizona State University, home of the Sun Devils and Alma Mater to American hero Pat Tillman, is going to have Tillman’s name on the back of the jersey of every player when they take on Oregon tonight.
Pat Tillman's name will be on the back of every Arizona State player's jersey tonight vs Oregon. (via @FootballASU) pic.twitter.com/XO083uZ0OZ
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 29, 2015
Adidas worked with Arizona State and the Pat Tillman Foundation to create a memorable design called the “PT42” that pays tribute Pat Tillman, his service as a U.S. Army Ranger, the U.S. military, and his playing days with the Sun Devils. The uniforms are inspired by Tillman and were designed to replicate what he and the 1996 ASU team wore during 1997 Rose Bowl.
Additionally, Arizona State and adidas worked with the NCAA to get special permission for each player’s jersey to have Tillman’s name on the back. Pat’s wife Marie was on campus this week to unveil the uniforms to the team.
“We are incredibly humbled and honored to have to opportunity to partner with Marie Tillman, the Tillman Foundation, and adidas to create these uniforms that pay homage to Pat and the service of all of our active and retired military members,” coach Todd Graham said. “We preach the value of passion and character to our players and no one embodies those qualities more than Pat Tillman. I’m proud as a Sun Devil football coach but I’m also proud as an American that we can suit up and pay tribute to the hero that was Pat.”
The Arizona State football Twitter page (@FootballASU) has also put out a link to the site where you can go buy some of the Tillman gear and take part in this awesome tribute.
Not only is the tribute awesome, but it’s refreshing. After the deity-like hero worship the sports world extended to Michael Sam and Bruce Jenner, one for merely announcing that he liked guys, and the other for deciding to no longer be a guy, it appears there’s still space in the world to honor and pay respect to a real hero. Someone who walked away from millions of dollars and a life of peace and security because he believed in something more than himself and was willing to die for it.
Let the leftist media, sports and mainstream take note: Pat Tillman’s sacrifice is what real heroism looks like. Recognize.
