Ongoing Rumors Surround Pat Tillman's Death
The Claim
Pat Tillman was murdered while on duty in Afghanistan and the US Army attempted to cover it up.
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Emerging story
17 years ago today, football player turned soldier Pat Tillman died in Afghanistan. After his death, details began surfacing that brought its circumstances into question. Motivated by 9/11, Tillman had walked away from what Sports Illustrated reports was a $3.6 million contract with the Arizona Cardinals to join the Army Rangers. Every year, people remember the man that gave up millions to fight for his country, but some postulate that it was the same country that murdered him.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar’s investigation could not conclude whether Tillman was murdered, but the events surrounding his death and how the U.S. military handled it are suspicious. After enlisting in 2002, Tillman served until a friendly fire incident ended his life, on April 22, 2004.
After reports that Tillman was shot three times in the head, events start to get cloudy. Officials told his family that he was killed by enemy fire—for five weeks after they suspected friendly fire. Contrary to “preserving evidence,” as is customary in a death, Tillman’s body armor, uniform, and even some brain matter were burned. Soldier’s testimonies were altered and “seven high-ranking Army officers” were expected to receive official reprimands for erroneous reporting of Tillman’s death. One soldier, Steven Elliot, believes he may have been the soldier that accidentally killed Tillman, Another soldier, Sgt. Bryan O’Neal, was standing next to Tillman when the firefight took place and he disagreed with reports issued by the U.S. Army. There is very little evidence provided that is not refuted.
In fact, Tillman’s family demanded to know about the odd circumstances surrounding his death and eventually received a hearing in front of a Congressional committee. Tillman’s brother, Kevin noted the suspicious circumstances above, as well as the fact that documentation was changed and the autopsy was performed incorrectly.
Kevin Tillman stated in his opening remarks that he believed his brother’s death was covered up to avoid any further dark marks for the U.S. military at that time: he believed that his brother’s death would add further insult for the military on top of the atrocities of Abu Ghraib and the impending defeat in Fallujah. Some go further to state that Tillman’s journal shows that he was seriously doubting the war and questioned his reasons for being there. American philosopher and activist Noam Chomsky stated that Pat Tillman had an appointment set up with him to discuss the “question of the justness of the U.S. war in Afghanistan and other regional issues.”
The true reasons behind the mishandling of Tillman’s death are inconclusive, but speculation abounds even to this day.
