The Cardinal

Pat Tillman left a multimillion-dollar NFL contract to become an Army Ranger — and refused to explain himself to anyone. The truth about how he died took the country years to learn.

The Cardinal
Probably the most famous portrait of the fallen is former National Football League star Pat Tillman, 27, who gave up the glamorous life of a professional football star to join the Army Rangers. He was killed in Afghanistan on April 22, 2004. Natasha Mokina painted his portrait at the "Faces of the Fallen" exhibit on display at the Women in Military Service to America Memorial in Arlington, Va.. Photo by Rudi Willia.