The US war hero who sacrificed promising football career to fight for his country: How Pat Tillman turned down lucrative NFL contract to serve in Afghanistan before being killed in friendly-fire ambush – as Prince Harry faces backlash for award in his name

With his rugged good looks, a beautiful wife and a multi-million dollar NFL contract, Pat Tillman seemed to have it all.

The Arizona Cardinals safety was one of the rising stars of American Football, known for defying his relatively small 5ft 11in frame to excel as a safety, earning him admiring glances from some of the NFL’s top teams.

But above all else, he was a patriot and when nearly 3,000 people were killed in the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the then-24-year-old felt compelled to act.

Forgoing the offer of a $3.6million dollar contract, he enlisted in the Army alongside his brother, determined to serve his country during the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq.

But his loyalty to his country would not be repaid, with the football star tragically losing his life in a friendly-fire ambush in 2004 that was subsequently covered up by the military.

Tillman gave up a multi-million dollar contract offer from the Arizona Cardinals to join the US Army. Pictured: Tillman smiles before a game with the Cardinals
In the years since tributes have been paid to the Army Ranger, with a prize named after him being given to unsung heroes in sport at the ESPY Awards (Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly).

It was here that the all-American world of Pat Tillman collided with that of Prince Harry this week