Pat Tillman, Not a Political Prop
Enough is enough.
When the news broke of Colin Kaepernick being featured as part of the 30th anniversary of Nike’s “Just Do It” campaign, I knew it was coming.
Not the ridiculous act of destroying Nike clothing, mind you. (Which, if you are contemplating doing such a thing, how about donating it instead?)
Nope, I knew that Pat Tillman’s name and image would be used as the antithesis to Kaepernick.
It’s so convenient, right? To use a former NFL player that joined the military as a political prop against a protest that is commonly misconstrued? Because Tillman served in the U.S. Army during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, that gives those who disagree with the protests against police brutality and other causes the ammunition they desire to solidify their narrative.
(I won’t even begin to touch on the coverup surrounding Tillman’s death. You know, the one where his passing by “ambush” was used as propaganda when in reality he was killed by friendly fire.)
We’re a hot take society. Instead of doing the research to better understand a particular topic or subject, we look for the first point that best aligns with our view and shove it down our audience’s throat. (e.g. Skip Bayless and his criticism of LeBron James.)
Those who have used Tillman as their hero against Kaepernick’s movement don’t understand, nor care about the late safety’s thoughts. They see the uniform, they see the various awards and decorations, and without taking a minute more to read about their savior, they push him to the forefront of their argument, almost as if he’s a puppet on a string.
Marie Tillman, Pat’s widow, was forced to issue a statement nearly a year ago about using her late husband as a political prop against the NFL players’ protests.
“Pat’s service, along with that of every man and woman’s service, should never be politicized in a way that divides us … Those that serve the fight for the American ideals of freedom, justice, and democracy — they and their families know the cost of the fight … The very action of self-expression and the freedom to speak from one’s heart — no matter those views — is what Pat and so many other Americans have given their lives for. Even if they didn’t always agree with those views.”
If Pat’s own wife is saying to not politicize his service, then maybe don’t politicize his service.
Furthermore, the stereotypical idea of the “American soldier” doesn’t align with Tillman. He was an atheist. He developed anti-war views before his death, particularly referring to the Iraq war as “[bleep]ing illegal” and planned to meet with one of his favorite authors, Noam Chomsky — a leading critic of U.S. foreign policy — after returning from Afghanistan. Former U.S. Army ranger Rory Fanning, who served alongside Tillman, said “he would be shocked if Pat wasn’t out there taking a knee with these players”.
Listen, I’m not saying that Tillman didn’t make a huge sacrifice when he forewent his NFL career to enlist in the U.S. Army. (I actually became a fan of his when he did, and his Cardinals jersey is one of the few that I own.) And I’m not saying that those who disagree with Kaepernick’s form of protest don’t have the right to do so.
But to immediately throw his name and image out there as soon as Colin Kaepernick is brought up is pathetic and shameful. Because those guilty of such a thing don’t care about the actual man in his uniform, but rather to prove a misguided point.
So, please, stop this nonsense and let Pat Tillman be.
