When Coach Todd Graham first grabbed hold of the reins of the ASU football program after the 2011 season, he incessantly spoke words like “character”, “discipline”, “honor”, “pride” and “passion” almost to a point that it became rhetoric. He recounted names from Sun Devil lore like Frank Kush, John Jefferson, Terrell Suggs, Danny White, Randall McDaniel and yes, one Patrick Daniel Tillman. But here’s the thing Devil fans; after a single season in Tempe, he has all of us as optimistic about any upcoming season as I can recall in my lifetime as an ASU fan. And both the program and fan base have bought in. It is no longer rhetoric. And as of now, there is a practice jersey that honors only one of the above mentioned ASU players.

In what was initially not fully understood or presented to many fans last season, Coach Graham decided to bestow upon any individual on his team the honor of wearing the #42 camouflauge practice jersey who shows the same heart and soul that Pat Tillman displayed. There are a number of great athletes on the current roster who can compete with the best on the football field. But Pat (1997 Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year – for whom the award has since been named after) displayed exceptional character not only on the field, but in the classroom, community and among his peers. 

As of last season, only Safety Alden Darby had briefly worn that #42 practice jersey. However, during the 2013 Spring Camp, the jersey was awarded to DL Will Sutton, who had not been given the honor during his consensus All-American 2012 season. When asked about what the jersey meant to him, Sutton admittedly stated that he didn’t think the practice of wearing the jersey would continue because it had been so long since his predecessor held it, or that he fully understood the weight of the tribute. Being from southern California, Sutton was only slightly aware of the “legend” of Pat. After his first practice in the jersey, Sutton stated that he earned it by “Working real hard, getting good grades and doing everything off the field also.” He continued with, “I didn’t know too much until I got out here and heard what people who knew (Pat) said about what he stood for. It’s an honor.” There was no mention by him of sacks or tackles for losses, but as a Sun Devil Nation we can recognize that Sutton embodied the spirit of Pat as much outside the lines as he did under the bright lights on Saturday nights.

One of Coach Graham’s greatest quotes referencing the jersey is, “That ain’t just some deal. You’re going to EARN that. And hopefully you’ve earned the right to keep it tomorrow.” Clearly, our fearless leader understands what Pat was about. It’s never about having a great moment, day, week or season. It’s about living a life that means something. And regardless of a life being cut way too short, Tilly knew that life was a marathon and not a sprint. Coach Graham also said throughout that there were a number of players who were very close to earning the right to wear that jersey. If it were up to him, there would be a whole roster full of student-athletes to achieve that stature, but we know that bar was set higher than most could ever achieve.

The PT-42 Crew (Sutton, Irabor, Young and Darby)

As of Thursday morning, the final day of spring camp, three more Sun Devils joined Sutton in donning the #42 camo jersey. CB Osahon Irabor, Safety Alden Darby and Spur LB Chris Young had become the latest in this elite fraternity of young men. These individuals consistently EARNED the right to wear the retired #42 jersey and have clearly proven to be exceptional Sun Devils.

For those of us who knew Pat or witnessed his time at ASU, it feels satisfying that although we lost a man who embodied a life worth living, he is still very much alive in our hearts and on the fields in Tempe. We can only hope that our young representatives of ASU and Sun Devil Nation continue to do what it takes to carry that privilege into the fall as not just leaders of a football team, but as leaders of men. Are YOU a DieHard Devil? Prove it. They did.

*  *  *

Enjoy the largest PAT TILLMAN Photo Collection

Pat overlooking Tempe atop the light tower at Sun Devil Stadium