Every spring, thousands of Sun Devils, past, present and future, travel to Tempe to participate in Pat's Run. This event brings together veterans and civilians to honor one man's mission.
The emotionally charged run celebrates the life and legacy of Pat Tillman. The former Sun Devil and Arizona Cardinal famously gave up his football career to serve his country as an Army Ranger and tragically died in the line of duty in 2004.
Tillman's family and close friends created the Pat Tillman Foundation to support military families and veterans that same year. This year marked the 20th edition of Pat’s Run, with over 28,000 people running in Tillman’s honor to raise money for the foundation’s network of over 850 Tillman Scholars.
"It just shows you what some of us call the power of Pat," race co-founder Perry Edinger said. "People drop all they're doing every year at this time to honor Pat. It's really hard to explain, but if you knew Pat, you understand why people do it because he was somebody a lot of people wanted to be."
Edited by Alexandra Zurborg, Alexis Heichman and Walker Smith.
Reach the reporters at jcbarron@asu.edu, mkubasko@asu.edu and mamareng@asu.edu and follow @jackcbarron, @morganling, and @MatthewMarengo on X.
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Jack is a senior studying sports journalism. This is his fourth semester with The State Press. He has also worked at Radio Sucesos and XPR Sport Experience in Argentina.
Matthew is a sophomore studying journalism and mass communications. This is his second semester with The State Press. He has also worked at The Cut Network.
Morgan is a senior studying journalism and mass communication with minors in business and psychology. This is her seventh semester with The State Press. She has also worked at GradGuard, KJZZ, Rising Youth Theatre and Mental Health America of Arizona.
