Star tight Tyler Eifert of Cincinnati Bengals honoured Pat Tillman with his game day cleats Sunday.
Eifert wore cleats with the regular Bengals colors with “Pat Tillman” on both of his shoes.
Tillman sacrificed his NFL career and ultimately his life fighting overseas after 9/11 — as well as the foundation that bears his name.
Rather than sign a multi-million dollar extension with the Arizona Cardinals, Tillman joined the Army Rangers in May 2002.
Two years later, he lost his life in a friendly fire accident.
Eifert also recently explained why he stands during the national anthem and will never kneel. He wrote in part:
I stand because I love my country. … I stand because my cousin is a pilot in the United States Air Force, risking his life flying F-15s in active war zones. He takes pride in his job protecting Americans, a sacrifice that all members of every branch of the United States military willfully take.
For the first game this weekend against the Baltimore Ravens, I am writing Pat Tillman’s name on my cleats. And each game thereafter, I am going to write another person’s name from the United States military, whether active, retired, killed or missing in action, or a prisoner of war. These people are why I am standing because they gave me and everyone else the chance to have freedom and earn a living playing a sport I love.
It’ll be interesting to see if any players have special cleats or other tributes for the victims of 9/11 during the two games tonight.
Sources: The Dialy Caller, The Dialy Caller/Facebook/ Photo Credit: Instagram
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