Skip navigation
Site powered by
Latest news:
msnbc.com: Top msnbc.com headlines: Singing superstar Whitney Houston dies at 48

Tillman, killed in action, on college Hall ballot

Former star DB for Arizona State, Arizona Cardinals joined Army after 9/11

Image: Pat TillmanAP file
Cpl. Pat Tillman was killed by friendly fire in Afghanistan in 2004.

DALLAS - The late Pat Tillman, a former Arizona State linebacker who gave up a professional football career to join the military, is among 19 players up for election to the College Football Hall of Fame for the first time this year.

The National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame released a ballot Tuesday with 75 players and eight coaches eligible for election to the hall.

Tillman played linebacker for the Sun Devils from 1994-97 and was one of the best defensive players in the Pac-10 over his final two seasons. He was one of the leaders of the last Arizona State team to play in the Rose Bowl. The Sun Devils lost to Ohio State 20-17 in 1997.

Tillman went on to play safety for the Arizona Cardinals, but quit football, giving up millions of dollars in salary, and became an Army Ranger.

He was killed by friendly fire in Afghanistan in 2004.

Also among the first-timers in the College Hall of Fame ballot are Kansas quarterback Bobby Douglas (1966-68), Florida linebacker Wilber Marshall (1980-83), Temple running back Paul Palmer (1983-86) and Michigan State linebacker Percy Snow (1986-89).

Lou Holtz, who coached Notre Dame to a national championship and 249 games with six schools, is the only coach appearing on the ballot for the first time.

Other notable players up for election include UCLA quarterback Troy Aikman, West Virginia quarterback Major Harris, Ohio State fullback Jim Otis and Notre Dame Heisman Trophy winner Tim Brown.

Voting will be done by the 12,000 National Football Foundation members and those votes will be submitted to the NFF’s Honors Court, which selects the Hall of Fame class.

The class of 2008 will be announced May 1 and inducted Dec. 9 at the NFF awards dinner in New York.

© 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

advertisement
Video: Football from NBC Sports
Memphis fulfills BCS dream
Tigers officials thrilled to announce that school has been accepted to join the Big East Conference in 2013.

Slideshow
Image: Joe Paterno
  Joe Paterno (1926-2012)
A look at the career of legendary Penn State coach Joe Paterno

NBCSports.com

Slideshow
Image:
  BCS title game
Check out photos of Crimson Tide's victory over Tigers.

more photos

Slideshow
Image: Kansas State running back Pease is tackled by Arkansas defensive tackle Jones during the Cotton Bowl Classic football game in Arlington, Texas
  Bowled over
Check out the action from the postseason games.

NBCSports.com

Slideshow
Kansas vs Oklahoma State
  All-American team
Check out which players were best of the best at each position.

NBCSports.com

Slideshow
Image: Rose Bowl Game presented by Vizio - Wisconsin v Oregon
  College cheer
Check out some of the college football cheerleaders from across the country.

NBCSports.com

Slideshow
Image: Snee, 8, son of New York Giants player Chris Snee and head coach Coughlin's grandson plays in the confetti after the New York Giants defeated the New England Patriots in the NFL Super Bowl XLVI football game in Indianapolis
  The Week in Sports Pictures
The Giants on top of the football world, getting ready for the London Olympics and more.

more photos