NFL

Cris Collinsworth Says Pat Tillman Should Be Hall of Famer; Is It a Good Idea?

Posted Jan 03, 2009 10:15PM By Bruce Ciskie (RSS feed)

Filed Under: Arizona Cardinals, NFC West, NFL Hall of Fame, NFL Media Watch

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There is no questioning the very real sacrifice made by former Cardinals safety Pat Tillman. He felt he had a duty to help defend our great country. Whether you agree or disagree with our military involvement overseas, you can't argue that Tillman gave his life to help make our lives better, and make our country a better place.

The NFL, in my opinion, did a very nice job honoring Tillman during the season after his death in April of 2004. The Cardinals have also done the right things when it comes to Tillman's memory.

But could the sport of football do more to honor Tillman?

NBC's Cris Collinsworth worked Saturday's early playoff game between Atlanta and Arizona. During the broadcast, he brought up the fact that Tillman is eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. I have to admit that I hadn't previously given much of any thought to the argument Collinsworth proceeded to make.

Thanks to Pro Football Talk, here is what Collinsworth had to say:
"He's gonna come up this year for a Hall of Fame vote," Collinsworth said. "And 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."
First off, I absolutely agree with Collinsworth's assessment that Tillman was the kind of man we hope everyone would be.

There's also no words to describe how proud I am that a guy who could have spent a good chunk of his adult life playing football turned down millions (not $36 million, but still a good chunk of change) to defend his country instead.

But is Pat Tillman the only guy we make an exception for? For all these years, the Pro Football Hall of Fame has (rightfully) been about the on-field exploits of the athletes who play the game. Those who didn't play that have made the Hall are in for contributions related to the games, and not for being philanthropic or doing a lot of charity work in their spare time.

How many football players have been in the military, both in peacetime and war? Can we put Tillman in the Hall without honoring all those who have served?

To me, the Hall has been correct to maintain their stance of honoring players for playing. If that is the standard, you don't put Tillman in the Hall.

Does that mean there's no room in Canton for the likes of Pat Tillman? Absolutely not.

There should be a spot in the Hall for those who have shown significant character off the field. Are there former NFL players working in law enforcement? Serving in the military? Perhaps you even make room to recognize those who entered into any kind of public service, including politics. It might seem weird to honor Heath Shuler and Pat Tillman in the same wing of the Hall, but you get the point.

Many current and former NFL players have helped make the world a better place. Tillman's work and ultimate sacrifice are an extreme example of this, but I feel we can honor them all in a way that doesn't dishonor Tillman. Doing so would also allow the Hall to continue to honor on-field exploits, and they wouldn't have to further address the fact that noted scumbag O.J. Simpson is still enshrined there.

Tags: pat+tillman, PatTillman

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