Arizona State to honor Pat Tillman with combat cleats (Photo)

Arizona State University is honoring the late Pat Tillman with cleats inspired by the life of the Sun Devil standout and a US Army Ranger.

Even over a decade after the passing, the legacy of Pat Tillman is a vibrant part of the Arizona State Sun Devils football program. Arizona State University is introducing the PT-42 line of cleats, commemorating the life of Tillman and his willingness to make the ultimate sacrifice. Tillman gave up a career in the NFL for an opportunity to serve his country in the war in Afghanistan, sadly dying in the line of duty.

The cleats draw inspiration from combat boots that Tillman wore during the War in Afghanistan, prominently featuring horizontal military stripes, pieces of Kevlar by Dupont, and a PT-42 badge honoring ASU’s own fallen patriot.

Since his untimely passing in Afghanistan on April 22, 2004, Pat Tillman’s legacy has been forever immortalized with both Arizona State University and the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals. Both the Sun Devils and the Cardinals have retired Tillman’s jersey.

A statue honoring Tillman’s life stands outside University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, AZ. The former Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year (1997) was posthumously enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame in 2010.

Arizona State and Adidas have come up with another creative way to honor Tillman with the PT-42 line of football cleats. Tillman walked away from a promising NFL career in his prime because he felt a calling to serve his country in the War on Terrorism.

By Arizona State choosing to honor him in this manner, Tillman’s legacy at Arizona State will take on a more tangible meaning with the football team. It seems that Tillman will forever be a member of the Arizona State Sun Devils. As the student athletes lace up their cleats, they will proudly remember the life of Pat Tillman.

RIP Pat Tillman, No. 42.