NFL star goes to war, turns down contract

[redv6Lance]

im sure we all remember the recent heroic story about the NFL star who turned down a million dollar contract in the NFl to go serve in the army, because he felt so compelled to serve his nation.

I just heard on the news that he died of "friendly fire." What kind of shit is that!

[mnstang]

yeah that's too bad. it's also too bad about all the other troops that have died and not only this guy.

[Matt D.]

If you look at the numbers, there are a LOT more friendly fire deaths in the war than you'd imagine. If I remember correctly when the 1,000th death of this war occured, 200 or 300 of them were friendly fire or non-combat related deaths.

[SS1LE02]

We are at war. Shit happens. This doesn't diminish in any way that he was a man of principle, courage, and a hero.

[decind]

Nothing we can do but hope they get things under control over in Iraq.
Grey Stang Mafia

[Matt87GTA]

Friendly Fire, or fratricide, or "non-combat related death", or accidents, etc., are entirely common when military personnel under take pretty much anything, anywhere, at any time. We lose many fine service members to accidents right here in the U.S. every day. Trust me, the military is well aware that this fact is quite unpleasant to the public it serves. If you have served, you know what I am talking about (the briefings, the risk management cards, the safety glasses/shoes, the safety inspections, yada yada...) but for those of you that haven't, just imagine having everyone everywhere during anything you do reminding you that "safety first!" is paramount to the very preservation of your's and your buddy's life. But, this is kind of common sense, there is no way to eliminate this sort of thing in our line of work.

Think about it.... Accidents happen in every day life to normal people all of the time. Now factor into account large equipment like HEMTTs and M-1 Abrams and equipment designed to help us devastate our enemies like the M-2 .50 cal and an AH-64 Apache - and throw in the confusion that can take place when operating in combat under fire - and it is entirely plausible to assume fratricide is gauranteed. And not just onesy-twosy either....

Regardless... I think we've discussed CPL Tillman on this board before and the circumstances of his death certainly do not change my impression of him as a person or as a fellow U.S. Army soldier. And the classification of his death tells nothing of the story surrounding it. He gave his life so that we may have the chance to live our own. "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

[351capri]

Friendly Fire, or fratricide, or "non-combat related death", or accidents, etc., are entirely common when military personnel under take pretty much anything, anywhere, at any time. We lose many fine service members to accidents right here in the U.S. every day. Trust me, the military is well aware that this fact is quite unpleasant to the public it serves. If you have served, you know what I am talking about (the briefings, the risk management cards, the safety glasses/shoes, the safety inspections, yada yada...) but for those of you that haven't, just imagine having everyone everywhere during anything you do reminding you that "safety first!" is paramount to the very preservation of your's and your buddy's life. But, this is kind of common sense, there is no way to eliminate this sort of thing in our line of work.

Think about it.... Accidents happen in every day life to normal people all of the time. Now factor into account large equipment like HEMTTs and M-1 Abrams and equipment designed to help us devastate our enemies like the M-2 .50 cal and an AH-64 Apache - and throw in the confusion that can take place when operating in combat under fire - and it is entirely plausible to assume fratricide is gauranteed. And not just onesy-twosy either....

Regardless... I think we've discussed CPL Tillman on this board before and the circumstances of his death certainly do not change my impression of him as a person or as a fellow U.S. Army soldier. And the classification of his death tells nothing of the story surrounding it. He gave his life so that we may have the chance to live our own. "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

THAT, was very well said Matt.

I dont see how they can get things under control over there, those people arent going to change how they are or what they believe. Just my .02, i could be wrong though.