DALLAS — The late Pat Tillman, a former Arizona State linebacker who gave up a professional football career to join the military, is among 19 players up for election to the College Football Hall of Fame for the first time this year.
The National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame released a ballot Tuesday with 75 players and eight coaches eligible for election to the hall.
Tillman played linebacker for the Sun Devils from 1994-97 and was one of the best defensive players in the Pac-10 over his final two seasons. He was one of the leaders of the last Arizona State team to play in the Rose Bowl. The Sun Devils lost to Ohio State 20-17 in 1997.
Tillman went on to play safety for the Arizona Cardinals, but quit football, giving up millions of dollars in salary, and became an Army Ranger.
He was killed by friendly fire in Afghanistan in 2004.
Late Pat Tillman on College Hall Ballot | ajc.com