NFL Films' 'A Football Life' Recognizes the Life, Sacrifice and Legacy of Pat Tillman

Page Content

​

'Pat Tillman: A Football Life' Airs Friday, October 28 at 9:00 PM ET on NFL Network ​

One-Hour Show Also Airs Thursday, October 27 After Thursday Night Football

"Times like this you stop and think about just how, not only how good we have it, but what kind of system we live under, what freedoms we're allowed. And that wasn't built overnight." –Pat Tillman

The sixth season of NFL Network's Emmy-nominated series A Football Life Presented by Gillette continues Friday, October 28 at 9:00 PM ET with a profile of late Arizona Cardinal and Army Ranger Pat Tillman. The one-hour show produced by NFL Films tells the story of Tillman's remarkable life, including the sacrifices he made in both his football and military careers.

This edition of A Football Life will also air on Thursday, October 27 following Thursday Night Football on NFL Network.

The essence of Pat Tillman's character is captured throughout the episode which follows his life from his decision to play football in high school to his death in the line of duty at age 27. Narrated by Emmy-nominated actor Josh Charles, a collection of highlights, anecdotes and interviews put Tillman's determined, noble personality on display. The impact of Tillman's legacy transcends the sports world and is aptly shown in this documentary by the creation of the Tillman Scholars and Pat's Run charitable organizations.

To view the trailer for Pat Tillman: A Football Life, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqz0cstFwk8

Each episode of A Football Life – as well as all NFL Network programming – is streamed live on the NFL Mobile from Verizon app (NFL.com/mobile) and via Watch NFL Network on tablet (NFL Mobile and Watch NFL Network apps), PC (NFL.com/watch), Xbox One and Xbox 360(NFL on Xbox app) and other connected TV devices (NFL app on Apple TV and Playstation 4).

Among the topics discussed in Pat Tillman: A Football Life are:

Tillman quitting baseball in high school and transitioning to football

Tillman failing to be recruited to Stanford and his subsequent career at Arizona State

Tillman's phenomenal 2000 NFL season during which he made Sports Illustrated's All-Pro team

Tillman's reaction to September 11 th , 2001, and enlisting in the military

, 2001, and enlisting in the military Tillman's death in the line of duty

The formation of Tillman Scholars, Pat Tillman's scholarship foundation, and Pat's Run, which raises funds for Tillman Scholars

Pat Tillman: A Football Life features appearances from the following people and more:

Marie Tillman -- Widow

Phil Snow -- Former Arizona State assistant coach

Frank Bauer -- Agent

Dave McGinnis -- Former Cardinals head coach

Jake Plummer – Arizona Cardinals teammate

Adrian Wilson – Arizona Cardinals teammate

Terry Hardtke – High school coach

Brad Hardtke -- High school teammate

Aeneas Williams – Arizona Cardinals teammate

Hue Jackson -- Former Arizona State assistant coach

Doug Tammaro – Arizona State media relations

Bill Belichick -- New England Patriots head coach

Joe Greene -- Former Cardinals assistant coach

Dave Brown – Arizona Cardinals teammate

Rob Moore – Arizona Cardinals teammate

Alex Garwood – Tillman's brother-in-law

Michael Bidwill – Arizona Cardinals president

Darren Urban – Arizona Cardinals beat writer

Tyrann Mathieu – Arizona Cardinals defensive back

David Johnson – Arizona Cardinals running back

Provided below are some select quotes from Pat Tillman: A Football Life:

"Times like this you stop and think about just how, not only how good we have it, but what kind of system we live under, what freedoms we're allowed. And that wasn't built overnight." –Pat Tillman

"My great-grandfather was at Pearl Harbor, and a lot of my family has gone and fought in wars, and I really haven't done a damn thing as far as laying myself on the line like that. And so I have a great deal of respect for those that have, and what the flag stands for." –Pat Tillman

"We all have fears, right? Doubts about ourselves. And every time I have one, I think of Pat. You know, when you were around Pat you never felt that he feared anything, and if he did, you knew he was going to address it." –Phil Snow

"If none of this happened with Pat Tillman, if he just ended up being a football player who went to the NFL and retired, you'd still have to look at him as maybe one of the greatest student-athletes in Arizona State history. He was an All-American, and he did not take the easy way out." –Doug Tammaro

"He said, 'I'm staying here with [the Arizona Cardinals]. You guys took a chance on me when nobody else would. For me to leave now, just for money? That'd be bull--.'" –Dave McGinnis quoting Pat Tillman

"Loyal. Hard-working. Tough. Big heart. You know, I mean, those are the characteristics that came through to me. A good guy to have on your side." –Bill Belichick

"It's out of our control, obviously, to be mad about that. It doesn't give me the ability to focus my thoughts on how awesome he lived his life, and how I try not to feel like less of a man because I didn't do as much as he did in such a short span." --Jake Plummer

This year, the 13-episode season of the highly-acclaimed series A Football Life airs Friday at 9:00 PM ET. Below is a broadcast schedule for the upcoming episodes of A Football Life:

November 4 – Michael Vick

– Michael Vick November 11 – Jim Brown

– Jim Brown November 18 – Steve Smith Sr.

– Steve Smith Sr. November 25 – Chuck Noll

– Chuck Noll December 2 – Troy Aikman

ABOUT NFL MEDIA

NFL Media is comprised of NFL Network, NFL Films, NFL.com, NFL Now, NFL Mobile from Verizon and NFL RedZone.

Seven days a week, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, fans turn to NFL Network to receive information and insight straight from the field, team headquarters, league offices and everywhere the NFL is making news. Launched in 2003, NFL Network gives fans unprecedented year-round inside access to all NFL events, including the Super Bowl, Playoffs, regular season, preseason, Pro Bowl, Pro Football Hall of Fame induction weekend, NFL Draft, NFL Scouting Combine, Senior Bowl, league meetings, minicamps and training camps.

For fans on the go, all NFL Network programming can also be streamed live on the NFL Mobile from Verizon app (NFL.com/mobile) and via Watch NFL Network on tablet (NFL Mobile and Watch NFL Network apps), PC (NFL.com/watch), Xbox One and Xbox 360(NFL on Xbox app) and other connected TV devices (NFL app on Apple TV and Playstation 4). Watch NFL Network access is available for NFL Network subscribers of participating TV providers. For more information, go to NFL.com/nflnetwork. NFL.com is the exclusive internet home of NFL Network.

NFL content has never been more popular across the media landscape. According to the Nielsen Company, 199 million people tuned into the 2015 NFL regular season representing 78 percent of all television homes and 67 percent of potential viewers in the U.S. NFL games accounted for the top 25 and 46 of the 50 most-watched TV shows among all programming in 2015.

– NFL MEDIA –