Thousands of people gathered on the streets of Tempe, for the 20th annual Pat’s Run in honor of former ASU and Arizona Cardinals player Pat Tillman. 

Tillman left behind a legacy here in Arizona and across the nation both on and off the field. 

He led Arizona State University to the 1997 Rose Bowl following an undefeated season and was later selected in the 7th round of the 1998 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals. 

Four years after his draft pick, Tillman enlisted into the U.S. Army where he tragically lost his life. 

Pat’s Run honors him as a hero who put his professional career on hold to serve his country.

The yearly run was founded by his friends and family honoring his legacy giving back to the community by providing scholarships to military service members, veterans, and spouses. 

“Education was number one… the whole thing is giving back to our military vets, those that can go ahead, and, in the future, they give back– it’s just a continuation of education, kindness, love, support, solidarity,” said Jane Craig a Valley local who’s attended and participated in Pat’s Run for several years.

Tillman Scholars have gone on to strengthen their knowledge furthering their education and helping their communities evolve and grow. 

The 4.2-mile course started near Mountain America Stadium (formerly Sun Devil Stadium) and passed through the streets of Tempe crossing two bridges along the way. The run started at 7:00 a.m. for wheelchair participants and 7:05 a.m. for the 4.2-mile run/walk along with The Kids’ Run at 10 a.m. 

For many, the run has been an annual ritual for some of which are U.S. veterans themselves or their families who come to support them and all those actively serving today.

“Being a veteran and having family and friends that did it… I thought I’d try it out and now it’s got me hooked,” said Joshua Oberheu who’s been running for the last two years. “Part of it kind of kept me going in my career, seeing what he did,” Oberheu said.

When Jane Craig, was asked by Northeast Valley News why she keeps coming back every year to participate in Pat’s Run one of the main reasons she described was Tillman himself, “everything he did for was for us, his loyalty to our country…he’s a hero.”

Others, however, came out today running their first year, hopefully with the intent of returning next time to continue the run/walk in memory of Tillman. 

“Whatever the case may be we are 20-23 thousand Americans giving tribute to a great man Pat Tillman, who gave his final measure to the freedom that we have–it’s a wonderful experience,” said Dallas Hickman, a Valley local who ran his first year. 

“It provides us opportunity for us all to come together as Americans to recognize a great hero that put aside a professional career,” Hickman said.  “A very selfless and outstanding American that we can’t forget.”