I remember Pat Tillman's time as a star outside linebacker at ASU. I remember Tillman being a very good player and I've since learned that he was also a fine student (graduated in 3 years). In fact, I believe that when ASU was on their national title run, Sports Illustrated did an entire feature on Tillman's eccentricity and academic prowess. Still, as integral a piece as Tillman was to that Sun Devils team, he was not the caliber of football player normally elected into the college football hall of fame.

Of course, Tillman's heroics off the field has made him, very deservingly, a national hero and icon for the American people. But I personally do not think Tillman should be inducted into the college football hall of fame based on his military record, and the fact that he made the ultimate sacrifice for his country. That said, I absolutely believe that there should be a place in the college football hall of fame for Tillman to recognize what he stood for. I am certain there are many other former NCAA football players who were drafted into WWI, WWII, the Korean War, or Vietnam who also lost their lives in service to this country. Tillman and all of these men should be honored and remembered forever. The college football hall of fame, as the symbolic and actual curator of college football history, is certainly the proper institution to do this. However, I personally believe that all of these men (and any others than come in the future) should be given a dedicated memorial or exhibit in their own section of the Hall. This would allow college football to honor these men without subjecting voters to the untenable temptation of inducting a player, like Tillman, who perhaps is not deserving on his playing record alone but certainly worthy of our collective remembrance for the sacrifice he made. Certainly, if I were a voter and the only way I could ensure Tillman's memory was to induct him, and in the process overlook the fact that he really wasn't a hall of fame caliber linebacker at ASU, I would do so every day of the week and twice on Sunday. But if I knew that Tillman and his fellow countrymen already had a dedicated place in the hall, my mind as a voter would be free of obligation and I would be able to vote solely on merit.

Cal, great comment on Tillman. The Hall of Fame is the perfect place to honor his sacrifice, but I agree we would be remiss if we didn't also acknowledge the same sacrifice that lesser known individuals have also made.