Pat Tillman 1976-2004 Smith: Code of honor throughout Tillman's life Reilly: The star who wanted to be a nobody • Dr. Z: A football player who always stood out • King: Readers' ideas for honoring a fallen hero • Beech: Tillman achieved as a soldier and player • Layden: An indescribably rare pro athlete • SI Flashback: Service first | A cut above

I've been overwhelmed with emotional, heartfelt e-mails from so many of you about Pat Tillman, and our Web site has decided to give many of you a forum here this week.

We're going to run a big batch of e-mails. In a small way, I hope we can add to the outpouring of gratitude we've seen across America, gratitude not only toTillman, but to the hundreds of service people who have lost their lives standing up for America.

And I've learned something, both about Tillman and the other service people and their families. I've learned that no matter what the circumstances of one's decision to joined the Armed Forces during times of conflict -- whether a soldier abandons a few million dollars from a glamorous job, as Tillman did, and enlists to protect America, or whether a soldier, searching for a life's work, enlists, or any reason in between -- it's still one incredibly gutsy decision. I'm glad so many of you wrote to express that sentiment.

To emphasize that uniformity of sacrifice, I think the best idea (of many, many good ones, some reprinted here) is one that Tillman would have endorsed. I'll let a reader named Wes, from Dover, Del., explain his idea. "I think that every player in the NFL should wear the initials of one serviceman/servicewoman throughout the season. We have lost more than 800 of them on all fronts, and all of them deserve to be honored equally.'' Brilliant, Wes. I am going to pass your idea along to Paul Tagliabue at the NFL offices this week. I'm sure he'll consider it.

Thanks to everyone for taking time to write about a great American ... and some other great Americans.

As a member of the United States Air Force, the story of Pat Tillman has a special interest to me. He made an amazing sacrifice to serve this country that he loved so much. As a fellow soldier, I have the utmost respect for this American hero. Everyone who serves their country is a hero in my eyes, and Mr. Tillman may have been the quietest hero of all. I love sports, and I've always dreamed of being a professional athlete. I imagine that Mr. Tillman spent his whole life dreaming of becoming an NFL player. But he gave all of that up for his country. It's hard to find people like that these days, and he's definitely a rare breed. I agree that the NFL should honor his life this year. They should also choose to honor him well beyond this football season. I recommend that the NFL induct Pat Tillman, an American hero, into the Hall of Fame. Even if it's just as an honorary member; anyway they decide to do it is fine with me. He deserves to have his jersey hang with the likes of Ronnie Lott, John Elway and Walter Payton. These individuals are remembered for their amazing accomplishments on the football field. Mr. Tillman should be remembered for his accomplishments on both the football field and the battlefield. We must never forget that the football field is just a game, but the battlefield represents human life, which should never be taken for granted. --  Michael Ragsdale, Camp Humphreys, Korea

I think we should get to know his father as well as he will let us. He raised his boys right, and there's a lot we can learn from someone like him. ... My father is such a man and I strive to achieve the lessons I've learned from him, but, then, don't we all. I am very saddened that we have lost Pat Tillman, and I pray he does, in fact, become a hero through his example and not so much for his sacrifice, though no less profound. My heart breaks for his family, in particular his wife, as they must be so proud but feel the loss more than any of us can know. And, if nothing else, in the world of ESPY-clad heroes, there is a man that any father can point to Tillman and say, "Son, that's what it means to be a man." -- PK Coit, Phoenix

I liked your idea about the NFL honoring Pat Tillman, but I think that every player should wear the initials of one serviceman/servicewoman throughout the season. We have lost more than 800 combined on all fronts and all of them deserve to be honored equally. From what I have heard of Sgt. Tillman, that is what he would want. -- Wes, Dover, Del.

"My opinion is that in 100 years, school children across a changed United States will be reading books about an American hero named Pat Tillman." While I agree with your quote, it would be unfortunate if it took 100 years to recognize Pat in that manner. It's important for children today to know the story of Pat Tillman and other like him, not 100 years from now. Thank you. -- AJ Copelotti, Newton, Mass.  

I'm writing to object to your and the rest of the media's deification of Pat Tillman. As a former Naval Officer, I think that statements like yours about Tillman are a disservice to the rest of our servicemen and women who did not play in the NFL. I understand that it Tillman's case it is easier to put our finger on what he gave up because they are things that all Americans seem to crave, money, attention and fame.

But I know those kids -- don't kid yourself, they are kids -- I spent 12 years serving with and relying on kids just like those in Iraq and Afghanistan, and all of them sacrificed something to join the service. Today's all-volunteer military is comprised of kids with high school diplomas or GEDs. They had other options than dangerous service abroad. They weren't sent to the military by a judge who gave them the option of the can or the military.

Many willingly chose the same sacrifices Tillman chose. They sacrificed other choices in life as Tillman did, but more important, they sacrificed seeing their children grow up, supporting elderly parents, being there for spouses and coming back unharmed. Walter Reed [Hospital] here in D.C. is currently packed with them. More kids die every day. Many more are injured everyday. Nearly 700 kids were injured in Iraq last week. Yet to the media, this thing is not real until someone who gave up fame and wealth gets killed. Not to get too political, but the Administration's policy on showing anonymous flag-draped coffins lets most Americans ignore this dirty little fact, that kids get killed.

I think that the NFL should render a tribute to all service men and women, not just one of their own. I think that the way Pat Tillman conducted himself as a member of the Rangers is indicative of how he wanted to be treated just like any other Ranger. He probably wouldn't have wanted to enter Canton because of his service -- only his play on the field. If the NFL really wants to honor Tillman, it should set up a scholarship fund for the kids of Rangers who died in combat, because there are a hell of a lot of sons and daughters of Rangers who won't have fathers when this thing is said and done.

Pat Tillman was a hero. I appreciate the sacrifices he made, But he was in a platoon full of heroes who made and will make sacrifices, a company full of these heroes and a battalion full of them. -- Brian Roemer, Washington

As an active duty service member, I think you have it all wrong on your proposals for the NFL to honor Pat Tillman. If you want to honor him, take a million plus from each team to create a $40 million trust fund to provide scholarships for kids of service members who died or were crippled in the war on terror. This would have a lot more meaning than some banners and stickers and would better match Tillman's values as you have described them. -- Paul Waters, Lancaster, Calif.

Just a comment about the Pat Tillman Award idea .... who would be worthy of such an award? For as long as the NFL has been around, it is only now that such an award becomes an idea, it will probably be another 30 years until the NFL has another member worthy of receiving such an award. Don't get me wrong, the NFL has many good people but, honestly, do any of them come anywhere close to the man Pat Tillman was? -- Rob Johnson, Washington

Wouldn't it be a good idea for the NFL to mass-produce Pat Tillman jerseys and sell them at reduced rates with the proceeds going to the families of other servicemen who have been lost in combat? I know Tillman wouldn't have wanted the attention, but I would love to see thousands of fans wearing Tillman jerseys on opening day this fall. -- Jody Madron, Sykesville, Md.

I recommend calling it the Ranger Award -- the last thing Pat Tillman would like would be any publicity, and the Army gets some well-deserved free NFL endorsement. Everyone for generations will know the source of the award. -- Michael Thomas, Seal Beach, Calif.

The perfect, and in my opinion, the only way to honor Pat Tillman is to permanently retire his No. 40. Some may not agree because that number has already been retired by certain teams, but I am a huge Bears fan and I don't see how this gesture would cheapen the legend of Gale Sayers. If you agree with me, I strongly urge you to go public with this. -- Mike Maradik, Palatine, Ill.

I think what Tillman did was very admirable, and I agree with all the praise being given him. However, I don't agree with your proposed tribute to him. I never had the pleasure of meeting Pat, but from all I've heard and read about him, paying tribute to him in each stadium across the league is the LAST thing he would want! I'm sure if he had his way, the NFL and other pro leagues would honor all the soldiers who put their lives on the line for the benefit of their countries. Naming an award after him would certainly be nice, but I'm sure he wouldn't want to be singled out as the only hero in the U.S. Army. -- Stephen Antenucci, Burlington, Ontario

Thought you had great ideas for a Pat Tillman tribute. I was also thinking that each team should put out a special "Tillman" jersey, with his name and number, and maybe the initials/flag symbol you mentioned on the sleeve. Proceeds could go to whatever charitable fund is being set up to honor him. This way, fans of every team, in every city, could show support and show that this hero has brought fans together. -- Dave, Emmaus, Pa.

As an Air Force veteran who served during the first Gulf War, I, as much as anyone, appreciate the sacrifice made by Pat Tillman. One thing that gets me, though, is that no one seems to be noticing the same sacrifice that hundreds of other men and women have made and are continuing to make each day. Sure, Pat Tillman was famous, and that explains all the attention he's getting. But somebody, please, mention that there are thousands of our servicemen and women who have been killed or wounded since the liberation of Iraq began. If I'm the parent of an otherwise anonymous fallen soldier and I'm constantly hearing how this ex-NFL player was a hero, I'm starting to wonder why no one seems to care as much about my son or daughter? The NFL and the people of America should not only acknowledge Pat Tillman, but all of the military personnel who have made the same sacrifice. -- Peter Simpson, Clinton, Mass.

Here's how I'd like to see Pat Tillman memorialized: Instead of an RCA, Gillette or Lincoln Financial Stadium, how about Tillman Stadium (and not just for 3-5 years). This is how we should memorialize our heroes. -- Andy Siegel, San Jose, Calif.

Not a question, just a comment on Pat Tillman. As I sit at my computer every day I wish I could live out my dreams and play a professional sport. Then I read about Pat Tillman and I feel ashamed that I would hope for something so trivial. Tillman was weird in a good way. I hope his sacrifice is remembered -- but in today's world I hesitate to think that will happen. Regardless of whether the NFL comes up with an award in his honor, can you make it a point to remind us of what he did on a regular basis. He should not be forgotten. -- Ryan Treml, Milwaukee

I really just have an opinion. As the wife of an Army soldier, I think the real testament to what kind of hero Pat Tillman was is the fact that he walked away from millions of dollars, even leaving his wife and family back home to earn so very little money fighting to defend and serve his country that he obviously loved. Pretty unselfish considering, most athletes think big paydays in the NFL are their right simply because of their presumed athletic talent. (See Maurice Clarett.) Like you, I hope the NFL will honor Pat Tillman and others who die every day defending this country, in every way possible! -- Jeri Treb, Camillus, N.Y.

Why does America think that you have to join the military to be a hero? I have been in the Marines for seven years and counting. There are a lot of things people can do for America without dying for her. Stop hating on athletes because we all wish we could play a sport and get paid millions for it. -- Darrell Clark, Albany, Ga.

Pat Tillman was a soldier. His decision to forgo fame and security in the NFL and follow spiritual fulfillment may be a noble one, but not unique. The only thing that sets his sacrifice apart from the 800-or-so equally poignant sacrifices the U.S. forces have made in Iraq so far is that he was famous. He did no less and no more than any of those other soldiers. If you want to support and identify with the sacrifices made in Iraq, that's great. It should be kept universal. The NFL can honor the fallen in a solemn and subtle way, but deifying Tillman is too simple and pre-packaged. The NFL should be above the knee-jerk misty-eyeing hero worship the public already gets from the media. He could've been a great guy and wonderful role model, but it's pretty uncomfortable to think of his selflessness and strength of conviction being turned into a jingoistic marketing event. He lived and died by a noble decision. For that we should respect him as we should respect all the others. But save the hero worship for the inevitable Pat Tillman Story on ABC. -- Ryan, Minneapolis

I agree with you that the NFL needs to memorialize Pat Tillman in some fashion, but I think it could do better than the same old number on the helmet routine, which after a year will be gone and forgotten. And an award will never have the impact his tragic loss deserves. How about this: From now until forever, in every NFL stadium paint both 40 yard lines (Pat wore 40) red white and blue, with nothing else. That way years from now when little children see a game and ask their parents why the 40s are red, white and blue, the parents can tell their children about what a special person Pat was. His legacy and character would live on forever. -- J.L. Byrwa, Lawrenceville, Ga.

Sports Illustrated senior writer Peter King covers the NFL beat for the magazine and is a regular contributor to SI.com. Monday Morning Quarterback appears in this space every week.