Almost 30,000 runners participated in the 22nd Annual Pat’s Run on Saturday in Tempe, Arizona, paying tribute to Pat Tillman and raising valuable funds for the Pat Tillman Foundation, which provides scholarships for veterans.
Rob Riggle, a Marine Corps veteran who went on to become a successful comedian and actor, served as this year’s celebrity race starter. Adhering to the Marine Corps spirit of never giving up, Riggle completed the entire 4.2-mile race.
“I think the world of Pat Tillman,” Riggle told Tempe Today “He’s an example of what leadership should look like and does look like.”
Tillman, a former football star at Arizona State University (ASU) and later the Arizona Cardinals, gave up a lucrative NFL contract to enlist in the Army after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. He became an Army Ranger and was killed on April 22, 2004, during a friendly fire incident while deployed to Afghanistan.
“Someone who put service above self, who walked away from millions of dollars to serve his country, ultimately paying the ultimate price,” Riggle said of Tillman.
Foundation Helps Veterans Thrive
Following his death, the Pat Tillman Foundation was established in his honor to help veterans, active-duty military personnel and military spouses by providing educational scholarships and programs.
During Pat’s Run on Saturday, more than 50 Tillman Scholars participated. Riggle, who served in both active duty and the Marine Corps Reserve from 1990 to 2013, ended his military career as a lieutenant colonel. Like Tillman, Riggle heeded the call to action after 9/11, helping recover victims at Ground Zero in Manhattan and serving two deployments to Afghanistan.
While still serving, Riggle pursued his comedic passion, appearing on “Saturday Night Live,” “The Daily Show,” and fan favorite comedy films like “The Hangover” and “Step Brothers.”
Riggle had no problem running 4.2 miles, matching Tillman’s ASU jersey number, to honor the fallen hero and raise money for the foundation.
“This event is going to raise a lot of money for the Pat Tillman Foundation, which is going to do wonderful things for our veterans,” Riggle said. “We need people like that who are willing to step up and be of service to their fellow man, and I think this foundation is doing a great job of making that happen.”
Since it began in 2005, the event has grown every year, and the foundation has reaped the rewards, offering more than $40 million in scholarships to more than 900 Tillman Scholars across 160-plus universities.
“For me, it’s about supporting what he stood for, as well as the cadets that are here that are trying to become officers — and hoping that they gain those leadership skills that will help them succeed in life,” said Jesse Murphy, a veteran and race participant.
Veteran Jeff Devore said the annual event is a great opportunity to provide for a greater cause, something Tillman strongly believed in when he left the NFL to join the Army.
“It’s something that you can give back to not only your community but to your country — and an opportunity to serve something higher than yourself,” Devore said.
While it hasn’t been determined how much money last weekend’s race earned, Pat’s Run officials said the 30,000 registered runners were the most the event has ever had.
