Drill instructor remembers former NFL player killed in Afghan firefight

<p>Former football player Pat Tillman was an excellent soldier whose mere presence brought positive attention to the Army, his drill instructor said.</p><p>Tillman, who turned down a mulitmillion-dollar contract with the Arizona Cardinals to join the Army, was killed Thursday in a firefight while on combat patrol in Afghanistan, U.S. officials said. Tillman, a specialist with the elite Army Rangers, was 27.</p><p>Tillman never said a word publicly about his decision to join the Army.</p><p>"He didn't want the media spotlight _ but he didn't have to talk about why he was here to have a positive effect. Just the fact that he was here was enough to make people take notice," said Sgt. 1st Class Craig Mussatti, Tillman's drill instructor at Fort Benning in Columbus.</p><p>Tillman was a member of the 76th Ranger Regiment, headquartered at the Georgia base.</p><p>"He was motivated. He had great leadership styles. He was definitely dedicated to everything he did _ and he didn't bring up his football career, ever," Mussatti said.</p><p>Those who knew Tillman were stunned by his death and called him a hero, a patriot and a humble man.</p><p>"I'm sure his death will be talked about for a long time," Mussatti said. "But I'm glad that people recognize him as a great American. That's what he was. A great American and a great man _ on the field and off it."</p><p>___</p><p>HASH(0x2866598)</p>

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