A portrait of Pat Tillman, the former star linebacker and Army Ranger killed in Afghanistan, is the last thing Sun Devil players see before they run out on the field.
When Arizona State takes the field Thursday to open the season vs. Sacramento State they'll be led out of the tunnel by Pat Tillman.
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The Arizona State football program's equipment team shared this photo on Twitter of the image of Tillman painted on the locker room door leading out to Sun Devil Stadium.
Twitter: @SunDevilEquip / Via cbssports.com
Pat Tillman played linebacker at Arizona State from 1994 to 1997 before being drafted into the NFL by the Arizona Cardinals. He was also an A student, and helped the team reach the Rose Bowl his senior year.
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In 2004, Tillman was killed by friendly fire in Afghanistan while serving with the elite Army Rangers. Following his death, Arizona State retired his number 42 and the Pac-10 renamed its Defensive Player of the Year award after him.
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A memorial for Tillman outside Sun Devil stadium in 2004.