Tillman's brother accompanies body to military facility in Dover
PHOENIX (AP) -- Pat Tillman's grieving family maintained its public silence, and intends to do so for some time.
Tillman, who gave up his NFL career to join the Army Rangers, was killed in combat Thursday in Afghanistan.
In Tillman's hometown of San Jose, Calif., his father was asked if the family planned to issue a statement soon.
"No, we won't be saying anything for quite awhile," Patrick Tillman, a Bay area attorney, told The Arizona Republic. "I hope you understand."
Funeral arrangements were pending for the 27-year-old former safety for the Arizona Cardinals who played at Arizona State.
Tillman's body will be sent to a military mortuary at Dover, Del., bypassing the U.S. military's medical facilities in Germany, where most casualties usually make their first stop, said Shari Lawrence, deputy public affairs officer for the Army Human Resources Command.
The body was expected to be sent over the weekend to Dover Air Force Base, Lawrence said.
Spc. Kevin Tillman, like his brother a Ranger with the 2nd Battalion of the 75th Ranger Regiment, will accompany the body home, Lawrence said.
Arizona State and the Arizona Cardinals announced the establishment of an annual business school scholarship in Tillman's name.
ASU athletic director Gene Smith said the Sun Devils will retire Tillman's No. 42 jersey after the 2004 season.
The Cardinals said they will retire Tillman's No. 40 and plan to name the plaza surrounding their new stadium under construction in suburban Glendale the "Pat Tillman Freedom Plaza."
Copyright 2004 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
43
