Pat Tillman: Cardinal Yankee Ranger

The spotlight Pat Tillman shunned his entire life found him in death on Friday as his former coach paid tribute to the football star’s ...

The spotlight Pat Tillman shunned his entire life found him in death on Friday as his former coach paid tribute to the football star’s ‘‘honour, integrity and dignity’’.

Tillman, who turned his back on the fame and fortune of an NFL career to join the US Army Rangers, had repeatedly refused to comment on his decision to fight for his country. The 27-year-old died in a firefight in southeastern Afghanistan on Thursday.

‘‘It was his wish that this not be something that would draw a lot of attention,’’ said Dave McGinnis, Tillman’s head coach during four years with the Arizona Cardinals. ‘‘He didn’t want this to be something that brought the spotlight on he or (his brother) Kevin. He had a very clear vision of what he wanted to do and why he wanted to do it. The essence of what Pat Tillman was and is and for allthose people we have serving our country goes way and above a lot of things.”

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Tillman spent his life defying odds and predictions. He graduated from college in just 3 1/2 years with honours, a degree in marketing and a unique set of values. A walk-on at Arizona State, Tillman finished his college career as the Pac-10 Conference Defensive Player of the Year.

Still NFL scouts were not particularly impressed, but Tillman’s tenacity and commitment caught the attention of McGinnis and the Cardinal coaches.

Converted to a safety, the 5-foot-11 200-pounder became a starter for the Cardinals and in 2001 was offered a $9 million, five-year deal from the Super Bowl champion St. Louis Rams.

Tillman turned his back on the offer, saying he owed something more to McGinnis and the Cardinals. ‘‘He stayed with us out of loyalty because he said, ‘you guys gave me a chance’,’’ recalled an emotional McGinnis.