Pat Tillman Foundation at Super Bowl LVII
Super Bowl LVII - an Honor of a Lifetime
Hey look Ma! I made it to the Super Bowl! If you were one of the 113 million viewers who watched the biggest event in the world on February 12, 2023 you may have seen myself and three other Pat Tillman Scholars as honorary captains for the coin toss (Fabersha Flynt, HyeJung Park, and Dave Prakash). It was one of the most extraordinary and humbling experiences of my life and wanted to share a little about this amazing experience. Check out the video below that NFL Films made, directed by the talented Nick Mascolo that aired before the Super Bowl and on national TV highlighting the Pat Tillman Foundation.
Four Tillman Scholars rehearsing for the big day.
Pretty crazy seeing my face on the big screen, thanks NFL Films!
Pat Tillman’s Legacy
First, I need to start off this whole post with the background of the amazing organization that made this happen and what they do, The Pat Tillman Foundation. As many of you already know Pat Tillman was killed April 22nd 2004 in Spera Afghanistan, where he was serving his second tour (first to Iraq) as an Army Ranger. Pat was an NFL star who left his football career giving up a 3.6 million dollar contract and was tragically killed by friendly fire. The story takes an even darker turn when the military and our government covered up what happened, they lied to his family and attempted to use Pat’s legacy to promote the wars. Not only was the death of Pat one of the most tragic of American stories but the way our government handled what happened is an infuriating part of the story. If you’re interested in doing a deep dive to understand more about what happened to Pat please read the three amazing books about the subject (Where Men Win Glory by Jon Krakauer, The Letter: My Journey Through Love, Loss, and Life by Pat’s widow Marie Tillman, and Boots on the Ground by Dusk: My Tribute to Pat Tillman by Mary Tillman, Pat’s mother and her fight against the government for the truth of what happened).
Watch below to see the NFL Films video about the Pat Tillman Foundation that aired before the Super Bowl.
The Super Bowl Pre-Game video honoring Pat Tillman and the PT Foundation narrated by Kevin Costner.
Turning Tragedy into Hope
After Pat was killed millions of dollars were sent to Marie his widow, she wanted to take such a horrible event and turn it into something good. Marie would eventually use the money to create the foundation in his name. The Pat Tillman Foundation raises millions of dollars a year to give scholarships to veterans and military spouses for higher education. There are now over 800 Tillman Scholars in various fields; law, business, medicine, science, arts and many other fields.
Pat Tillman Scholars at the annual PTF Summit in Chicago, 2022.
A Foundation For Good
After I left the Army I attended the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts to obtain my Master’s in Film/TV. While I was there my dear friend and colleague Mike Dowling (who’s also produced many projects with me) told me about the Pat Tillman scholarship and suggested I apply, so I did. Several months later I received a call that I was one of 60 recipients for 2016 (out of over 2000 applicants), to be awarded this scholarship. I was absolutely blown away and was actually speechless (for those that know me, that may be a surprise but totally true). Once I started getting more involved with the Foundation I realized the scholarship money was just one small aspect of what this Foundation does. The community the Foundation has created are like minded and service oriented people who want to change the world, and now so many of them are my best friends.
2010 Tillman Scholar Liz O’Herrin and myself at the 2022 Chicago Summit.
Group of Tillman Scholars celebrating Pat in Tempe Arizona, 2018.
Group of Tillman Scholars drinking cold Guinness (Pat’s favorite) with Pat’s brother Kevin.
Tillman Scholars at the 2016 ESPYS award.
My First Encounter with Pat’s Story
I had never heard of Pat Tillman’s story before I deployed to Afghanistan in 2009. When I arrived with my unit to Bagram Airfield in January of 2009 there was a USO named in Pat’s honor, they had a memorial inside (see left for a b-roll package of what it looked like in 2009, filmed by AFN Afghanistan staff). Since that was the only place with internet most of us spent as much time as we could there. I remember walking in and and seeing the memorial of Pat, this was the very first time I had an interaction with his story. Little did I know then that the next year would be one of the most challenging years of my life but would also begin the journey toward being a part of the Tillman Foundation.
Me in 2009 Afghanistan as a combat videographer with the 4th Brigade Combat Team 25th Infantry (Airborne)
JJ Watt and the Surprise of a Lifetime!
It was about 6:30 pm on January 19th, a normal Thursday night. I was cleaning up the kitchen after having made dinner for the kids, moments later I get a text from Dan Futrell the CEO of the Pat Tillman Foundation, 2011 Tillman Scholar and close friend. Dan asked me if I was available for a zoom call the next day to discuss a “Super Bowl Party with potential investors.” Of course I said sure, anytime the Tillman Foundation needs something from me I try to accommodate. The next afternoon I get on the zoom call with a few other Tillman Scholars and moments later J.J. Watt gets on the call and proceeds to inform us that myself and the three other Tillman Scholars are not only going to the Super Bowl and we can have a plus one, but we will be the honorary coin toss captains! I sat there stunned and so humbled, I told myself, “no tears in front of J.J!”
NFL Films
After that call I then had the opportunity to go on a few news shows and then NFL Films came to my house to film a little bit of my story for the pre-game video piece. Nick Mascolo the director of the piece did such an amazing job and included all of us in his process, he is so talented and a super genuine guy. Nick asked me if it was alright if they highlighted my late wife Melanie’s film that I made last year honoring her story, at first I was a little hesitant but after he showed me what they would do I immediately knew this was the right thing to do. Melanie made it to the Super Bowl! I truly wouldn’t have ever been here if it were not for her, I love and miss you Mel but I know you’re in heaven looking down on me proud!
Nick Mascolo the director from NFL Films and myself on my ranch filming.
Nick Mascolo and the narrator of the film Kevin Costner.
Father and Son Trip for the Win!
One of the coolest parts about this whole trip was being able to take my son Elijah. Eli is a football fanatic, in fact his first word was “touchdown.” He started playing football as early as he could walk and now is his third season playing tackle, he truly has a passion for the game and this season he made leaps and bounds. I love to brag about him, and it always embarrasses him! He was the defensive player of the year on his team and the only kid from his team to make the All-Star game. I’m so proud of him but not just for his football achievements but the way he’s handled the loss of his mother, how hard he works at everything he does and what a wonderful young man he’s becoming. Eli deserved this trip more than I did and I’m so glad he got to experience it. He’s such a big Patrick Mahomes fan it was so fun for him to see him win in the Super Bowl, and we had amazing seats! Thank you NFL for making this one of the most memorable trips of our lives. My daughter was a bit jealous so she bribed me into taking her to get a mani/pedi, her hair done and a little spending cash, she deserved that too, she’s a great girl.
Eli as a toddler, he loved football from the very beginning.
My dad, Eli and myself at his All-star game, 2022.
Eli and myself at his football homecoming.
Eli played Offensive and defensive line and played almost every snap!
Eli and me at the Celebrity flag football game at the Pat Tillman Foundation booth, day before Super Bowl.
Our Tillman Scholar group and family members with J.J. Watt at the NFL Experience.
Eli and me from our amazing seats after the Super Bowl.
Eli and me with the statue honoring Pat outside the Cardinals stadium, day of the Super Bowl.
The Super Bowl
As we walked down the back corridors of the stadium with our VIP badges, I felt like a rock star but I was actually shaking with nerves. Once we got down to the back room we waited quietly for our moment. Our group joked about how nervous we were and then we all asked Fabersha to show us her best coin toss, since she would be the one to do it, she had practiced over and over again and we knew she’d nail it. Moments later we see the Kansas City Chiefs team walk out right past our waiting room, we saw them exit through the same hall we would take. Then, it was our turn. We gathered our nerves and walked out on the side line, it was one of the most exhilarating moments of my life. I tried to take it all in and just enjoy the moment as best I could and then face-timed my mom and daughter from the field.
Our Tillman group waiting to be taken out onto the field for the coin toss.
On the field moments before the coin toss.
The Biggest Stage in the World
As the crowd roared for each of their teams it was time for us to go out onto the field. We had rehearsed this the day before but nothing prepares you for standing in front of that many people, I was visibly shaking. Once we were on the field I couldn’t really hear what the announcer was saying but knew he was starting to introduce the video. Watching the story of the Pat Tillman Foundation and Pat’s Legacy with myself as one of the four chosen to represent the organization was truly an honor of a lifetime and immensely humbling. What made it even more special was having Melanie’s story included. After the video played the announcer introduced each of the four of us as the NFL players turned around and clapped alongside the rest of the stadium. When it was all over I went backstage and hugged Dan, he whispered, “she’s watching over you,” and at that moment I just wept and hugged him tight. It was an incredible moment and I know she was there.
I share this honor with the over 800 Tillman Scholars all of which are doing some amazing things in their careers and communities and I truly believe this organization will change this country for the better. Ultimately we wouldn’t have been here if it were not for Pat’s sacrifice and Marie Tillman Shenton’s passion to continue Pat’s legacy. Thank you and RIP Pat.
Watch the full video with the coin toss below.
A Full Heart
Thank you NFL, NFL Films and Nick Mascolo, Dan Futrell, the Pat Tillman Foundation staff and so many others for allowing me this opportunity, it will never be forgotten.
As I made my way to my seat for the game sitting next to my son, I took in the whole experience and thanked God… then I opened my texts and saw over 60 from a variety of people telling me congrats, many more on instagram and facebook too, shared some of the nicest messages. Thank you everyone for your kindness. After one of the hardest years of my life, this felt like a win for the little guys and I will be forever grateful.
Here is a photo archive of some of my favorite memories with the Pat Tillman Foundation.
Medal of Honor Recipient Salvatore Giunta and myself at the 2016 Tillman Summiit in Chicago.
My late wife Melanie and me at the 2016 ESPYS awards where they give an annual award in Honor of Pat.
Medal of Honor recipient Leroy Petry and me at the 206 EPSYS.
Melanie and I at the 2018 Pat’s Run.
Standing next to the newly unveiled Pat Tillman Statue at Sun Devils stadium in Tempe, 2018.
The family and me at the 2019 Pat’s Run.
2019 Tillman Summit listening to Marie Tillman Shenton and Jon Krakauer.
2019 Tillman Summit in Chicago with PTF CEO/Tillman Scholar Dan Futrell and MOH recipient/Tillman Scholar Edward Byers.
Group of Tillman Scholars cleaning up the Los Angeles V.A. March 2020.
The family and me running a Vitrual Pat’s Run 2020.
Our dog gets in on the Tillman spirit.
Virtual Pat’s Run 2022, our last with Melanie.
Pat’s Run 2022 with my father-in-law Don and my son Eli.
Ainsley and I getting our steps in.
Me and the kiddos, official 2022 finishers.
Heather King, 2013 Tillman Scholar, sharing some amazing stories and beautiful insights, Tillman Summit 2022.
Tillman Scholars are some of the most brilliant people I know, Tillman Summit 2022.
Night cruise overlooking Chicago, 2022 Tillman Summit.
May we never forget why this foundation exists, RIP Pat.