Boyzmamacita;1155496 said:
No offense to Pat Tillman, may he rest in peace, but on some level it seems like they are exploiting his memory to add excitement to a Veteran's Day weekend game. I hope they are truly sincere in honoring his sacrifice and not just using his memory as publicity for an otherwise forgettable franchise.
They're sincere.
The Cards have opened their new stadium this year and were probably waiting for the ideal opportunity to introduce that preiphery of it - the Pat Tillman Freedom Walk - as well as retire his number. There couldn't be a better time set than Veteran's Day weekend. And the way the Bidwells have dealt with the Tillman sacrifice - both tragedy and honors, has been imo, class all the way.
I especially think the partnership the club made with the U of AZ - that scholarship program in Tillman's name - has been indicative of the Bidwell family's concern that Pat's honors not be relegated just short term. They want a lasting tribute to the man.
Bill Bidwell's been a joke of an owner in many ways, I suppose, (we get reminded of that every time the owners meet) but that 'otherwise unforgettable franchise', despite its travels, is still THE oldest continually operating NFL franchise.
They've got a load of important NFL history behind them - and I think in spite of their recent suckitude, the franchise itself can really appreciate the ebbs and flows of NFL fortune.
But like the ROH inductions last fall when the wretched Skins jumped us to bite us...no pre-game ceremony is gonna matter if the Boys come out prepared and nasty..