Pat Tillman's alma mater has unveiled new practice jerseys that serve as an homage to the fallen war hero.

Before he left his NFL career to become a member of the elite Army Rangers, Tillman was a standout linebacker for Arizona State. Through a new partnership with Adidas, the school has created camouflage-themed practice jerseys that pay tribute to Tillman, who in 1997 was named the Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year.


Tillman was famous for abandoning a successful NFL career to join the military after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. He became an elite member of the armed forces, serving with the Rangers. He was killed in battle in Afghanistan in 2004, which was later revealed to be the result of friendly fire.

Tillman posthumously received the Silver Star and the Purple Heart. Jon Krakauer wrote a book, "Where Men Win Glory," about the government's efforts to cover-up Tillman's cause of death.

The special practice jerseys are just the latest of several honors bestowed on Tillman from the sports world. Arizona State previously named the locker room walkway into Sun Devil Stadium as the "Pat Tillman Memorial Tunnel."

The NFL's Arizona Cardinals also erected a statue of Tillman outside their stadium in 2006.

More: Arizona State Teammates Remember Pat Tillman's Greatest Game With Sun Devils

Athletes Killed In Action

 

Pat Tillman

Tillman became an instant hero when he turned down a multi-million dollar contract extension with the Cardinals to enlist in the Army shortly after the 9/11 attacks.

 

Pat Tillman

His legacy turned tragic when he was gunned down by friendly fire in Afghanistan in 2004.

 

Hobey Baker

Baker, a hockey and football star at Princeton, was a member of the Army Air Service (the forerunner to the Air Force) during World War I. He died during a test flight in France. Baker is in the Hockey Hall of Fame and College Football Hall of Fame, and the Hobey Baker Award is given annually to the best player in NCAA hockey.

 

Nile Kinnick

The Iowa halfback, who also passed, punted and returned kicks, was the 1939 Heisman Trophy winner. He joined the Navy during World War II and was killed in a training flight in 1943. Iowa's football stadium was named in his memory in 1972.

 

Jack Lummus

Lummus was a baseball and football star at Baylor, and played the 1941 season in the NFL as an end with the Giants. He then enlisted in the Marines and was killed on Iwo Jima, but his heroics in that battle earned him the Medal of Honor.

 

Bob Kalsu

Kalsu was an All-American offensive lineman at Oklahoma and played the 1968 season with the Bills. He was then deployed to Vietnam and killed in 1970. The Bills added him to the team's Wall of Fame in 2000.

 

Don Steinbrunner

Steinbrunner, a football and basketball star at Washington State, played one season (1953) as a tackle for the Browns before an injury ended his NFL career. He joined the Air Force and was shot down in Vietnam in 1967.

 

Al Blozis

Blozis was an offensive tackle with the Giants for three seasons before heading into the Army. He was killed in France in 1945. The Giants have retired his No. 32. Blozis, who starred at Georgetown, is also in the College Football Hall of Fame.

 

Elmer Gedeon

Gedeon (pictured on the right as a member of the Washington Senators) starred in baseball, football and track at Michigan. He played five games for the Senators in 1939, then was drafted into the Army. He was killed in 1944 when his plane was shot down in France.

 

Eddie Grant

Grant played various infield positions for the Phillies, Reds and Giants during his 10-year MLB career that ended in 1915. He retired and became a lawyer but enlisted in the Army when the U.S. got involved with World War I. He was killed in France in 1918.

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