In 2001, Arizona Cardinals safety Pat Tillman had played out his three-year rookie contract and became a restricted free agent (RFA). Tillman had exceeded expectations, but it was rare for RFAs to receive offers from other teams after being tendered by their current teams.
At that time, drafted players received four-year contracts, surpassing the three-year restricted timeline. In 2001, only seven players began the league year as RFAs, and the lowest tender amount was over $500,000. Consequently, 43 potential RFAs were not tendered.
The Cardinals decided to tender Tillman at the lowest amount, assuming they would safely bring him back for another season before he became an unrestricted free agent.
However, the St. Louis Rams surprised everyone by preparing a five-year, $9 million offer sheet to lure Tillman to their team.
Former Cardinals head coach Dave McGinnis, who served as the defensive coordinator starting in 1996 and later became head coach during the 2000 season, believed that Tillman would leave. McGinnis vividly recalls a conversation he had with Tillman in the weight room a few days after news of the potential offer sheet broke.
Knowing that the Cardinals would not match the Rams’ offer, McGinnis approached Tillman while he was on the treadmill and told him that everything was alright. McGinnis acknowledged Tillman’s hard work and expressed his happiness for him, despite being unhappy about losing him.
Ultimately, Tillman accepted the Rams’ offer sheet, leading to his departure from the Cardinals and the start of an extraordinary journey that would see him become an iconic figure, as he later joined the U.S. Army and tragically lost his life while serving in Afghanistan.
During Pat Tillman’s career with the Arizona Cardinals, he demonstrated his determination and commitment to the team. In 1999, after starting 10 games as a rookie, head coach Dave McGinnis decided to have Tillman play as a nickelback and not be on the field for first and second downs. Tillman expressed his dissatisfaction with the plan and asked what he needed to do to regain his starting role. McGinnis laid out the requirements, and Tillman followed through, earning his starting position once again.
Tillman’s fierce competitiveness was evident during training camp in a confrontation with rookie running back Michael Pittman Sr. in practice. McGinnis had cautioned Tillman against cleating other players during practice, to which Tillman responded that it was the only way he knew how to play. McGinnis emphasized the importance of practicing without causing harm to teammates, and Tillman took the feedback to heart, adjusting his approach accordingly.
According to McGinnis, Tillman was the epitome of a team player, possessing intelligence, versatility, and all the qualities desired in a player. He described Tillman as a well-rounded individual who embodied honesty, integrity, and dignity, while also being a man’s man.
McGinnis served on the board of directors for the foundation established in Tillman’s honor and continues to speak about Tillman’s legacy, discussing motivation, leadership, and what it takes to be successful.
One poignant memory McGinnis shared was during the 2003 season when Tillman was on leave, visiting family and friends in the Seattle area while the Cardinals played against the Seahawks on December 21.
The evening before the Cardinals’ game against the Seattle Seahawks, Pat Tillman and his loved ones gathered for a three-hour visit, unaware of the bittersweet nature of their time together. Tillman still had another year left to fulfill his military obligation, but he spoke about his plans to return to the NFL once his service was completed. Several teams had expressed interest in signing him, but Tillman made it clear to Coach McGinnis that he wanted to play for him.
In response, McGinnis assured Tillman that no matter where he ended up coaching, he would have a place on his team. That was the understanding they left with.
Tragically, four months later, Tillman was no longer with them. McGinnis had the opportunity to speak at Tillman’s memorial at Arizona State University and in San Jose, California.
McGinnis reflects on his relationship with Tillman, stating that out of the eight Hall of Famers he coached, no player had a greater impact on his life than Tillman. He believes that Tillman’s legacy will endure forever, particularly among those who truly knew him. McGinnis emphasizes that anyone who had a close connection with Tillman will speak from the heart because that’s how Tillman interacted with everyone.
The loss of Tillman remains immense, and the void will always be present. However, McGinnis believes that those who knew Tillman are better individuals for having had him in their lives.
