Last Saturday, Army Corporal Pat Tillman was posthumously awarded the Silver Star, a medal awarded in the military for demonstrating gallantry in combat. On April 22, Tillman, a former NFL safety, was serving as an Army Ranger in southeastern Afghanistan when he was killed in action while on patrol. His unit was attacked in an ambush near the Pakistan border. He was the only Ranger killed in the attack, although two other soldiers were wounded.

During his NFL career Tillman was noted for his hard-nosed, bearishly dedicated and uber-disciplined style. After the 9/11 attacks Tillman’s patriotic spirit kicked in and he turned down a reported $3.6 million contract offer from the Arizona Cardinals to join his brother, who also left pro sports, to be in the Army Rangers.

Off the field Tillman kept a low profile, rarely doing interviews. He had no desire to relish in the fame that being an NFL star came with. Instead, he was interested in making it his duty to serve his team and make sure that he was doing everything in his power to play every game.

When one hears his former teammates, coaches and soldiers speak about him, words like hero, bravery and courage are commonplace.

As a soldier, Tillman went to lengths to make sure that his fame as an NFL player wouldn’t in any way affect his status and treatment. He wanted to be as anonymous as possible, another soldier, fighting for the U.S.

“I am heartbroken today by the news of Pat Tillman’s death,” Senator John McCain said on April 22. “The tragic loss of this extraordinary young man will seem a heavy blow to our nation’s morale, as it is surely a grievous injury to his loved ones.”

Tillman was the first NFL player killed in combat since Buffalo offensive tackle Bob Kalsu died in the Vietnam War in July 1970. Nineteen NFL players were killed in World War II.