PFC Jeremy Staat (1 Viewer)

[-OZ-]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/9304805

Staat, Tillman's ASU teammate, joins Marines

NFL.com wire reports

SAN DIEGO (March 13, 2006) -- A former college teammate of Pat Tillman is following in his footsteps, leaving a career in professional football to join the military.

Jeremy Staat was an 11-game starter for the Steelers in 1999.

Pfc. Jeremy Staat, a former defensive lineman who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers and the St. Louis Rams, graduated from the San Diego Marine Corps Recruit Depot on March 10.

Enlisting "is probably one of the best decisions I've made in my life," said Staat, 29. Tillman, who played defensive back for the Arizona Cardinals, was killed by friendly fire near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in April 2004.

Staat said he was felt compelled to join the military after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks but Tillman, who was his roommate at Arizona State, advised him to stay with professional football until he qualified for retirement benefits.

"He told me, 'You're a good player, you need to get good play.' Then four months later, at his wedding, I learn he's going to the Army," Staat said.

Tillman's death gave him "more motivation" to enlist, Staat said.

Tillman gave up a $1.2 million pro football contract to join the Army Rangers.

 

[DoctorDetroit]

That guy is going to wreak havoc on shore leave!

Good for him. The think I don't understand is if he has an education, why didn't he explore commissioning options? Maybe he did but I would think the services would love to have a guy like this either way for PR purposes, and he would have leverage most recruits could only dream of.

Regardless it's nice to have him aboard the "DOD ship" so to speak.

 

[-OZ-]

The thing I don't understand is if he has an education, why didn't he explore commissioning options? Maybe he did but I would think the services would love to have a guy like this either way for PR purposes, and he would have leverage most recruits could only dream of.

Good point. I'm not entirely sure how the Marines work it, but I know with the Army, he could have earned his commission. Gone in as a SPC, go through basic, OCS (where he'd earn his commission), OBC, then lead troops. Seems like the better option to me.