Marie Tillman, the widow of Pat Tillman, who was killed in combat in Afghanistan after he left the NFL to enlist in the Army, is not happy that her husband's memory is being used by President Trump to attack protesting NFL players. Tillman released a statement to CNN saying her husband "inspired countless Americans to unify."

"The very action of self expression and the freedom to speak from one's heart — no matter those views — is what Pat and so many other Americans have given their lives for," she wrote. "Even if they didn't always agree with those views. It is my sincere hope that our leaders both understand and learn from the lessons of Pat's life and death, and also those of so many other brave Americans." Pat Tillman — who was a standout at Arizona State University and for the Arizona Cardinals — received a lot of attention when he left the NFL to enlist after the September 11 attacks.

Tillman's comments, in an email to CNN's Brian Stelter Monday night, came after Trump retweeted an image of her husband during a string of attacks on NFL players who had taken a knee during the national anthem. (For more local news, subscribe to the Phoenix Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts). NFLplayer PatTillman joined U.S. Army in 2002. He was killed in action 2004. He fought 4our country/freedom. #StandForOurAnthem #BoycottNFL pic.twitter.com/k1FXHRoozY

— Ⓙay (@jayMAGA45) September 24, 2017 While Trump has claimed that NFL players were attacking the flag and the memory of soldiers who gave their lives, no player has actually done that. They point out that their protests have been about police brutality.

"It is my hope that his memory should always remind people that we must come together," Marie Tillman wrote to CNN. "Pat's service, along with that of every man and woman's service, should never be politicized in a way that divides us. We are too great of a country for that. "Those that serve fight for the American ideals of freedom, justice and democracy. They and their families know the cost of that fight. I know the very personal costs in a way I feel acutely every day."

It's not the first time that Tillman, who runs a foundation named for her husband, has taken issue with a Trump administration policy.



In January, when the travel ban was first introduced, Tillman took to Facebook to say "this is not the country he dreamed of, not what he served for, and not what he died for."