Our collective spirit was shocked into a sense of reality with the death of Pat Tillman. Rarely does the loss of an athlete, especially one, who was so young, touch us so deeply, and in this case, so profoundly. While death in itself is a jolting experience, unless one is directly connected to the person who dies, the loss is usually just a sting that gives way to resignation and usually some degree of short-term reflection. Pat Tillman’s death touched us all, and in ways that will stay with us for a long time, if not forever. His legacy will be one of getting us all to think of the greater good, and of others more than we think of ourselves. While he shunned the spotlight, I think he would be happy that his life, and now his death, touched us all enough to at least get us to think about what really is important in life.

What I find interesting in the discussion of Tillman, his life, his career, his life altering decision and how he died, is that all of us are at least investigating or revisiting what really is important in life. Tillman showed that being a star athlete, with a multi million-dollar contract, isn’t as important as following your conscience or deep seeded beliefs. That being part of a team that defends and represents your country is more important than being part of a team that wears the same color uniform and performs only on game day. That being a star on an NFL team truly isn’t as important as being a trusted, contributing member of a team that consists of young kids, wily veterans and “everyday” people who have never heard the roar of the crowd or cheers, but are as committed to doing their job as much as any athlete is. That living life for the moment is always more important than living life without a purpose. If that investigation or revisiting leads to a greater awareness for anyone, then I’m sure Tillman would be happy that he may have played a small part in helping us get back in touch with ourselves and the true meaning of life.

Another important contribution his life and death has made is the reconsideration of the meaning of “hero.” It’s a word that’s freely thrown around, especially in sports. Webster’s dictionary defines “hero” as “A man of great strength and courage, admired for his courage, nobility and exploits, especially in war.” Tillman fits the definition of hero perfectly, but not for what he did in football or sports, but how he lived this life, his convictions, his commitment to the things he believed in and that were important to him, and the quiet, “noble,” manner he lived his life. The next time any of us start to use the word hero, especially in connection with sports, I hope we stop and think whether it’s appropriate before we do. Catching a football, hitting a baseball, shooting a basket, scoring a goal, or any other sports achievement is a talent, not something that makes the person who does it a hero. No matter how dramatic any sports talent or accomplishment is, it will never measure up to the truly heroic things many other “everyday people” are doing daily.

Important to Tillman was that he not be seen as anyone different or better than anyone else trying to make life better for others, or just doing their job. He would be happy, if in an ongoing way, his death would make people think about those who are heroes in small, everyday ways. The teacher who works tirelessly, for far less money than any pro athlete makes, to teach our kids and give them the tools to become useful citizens. Health care people who try to make young and old alike more comfortable as they battle health issues. Police and fire personnel who lay their lives on the line every day in an effort to give us a sense of security as we go about our lives. And, the men and women who answer the call to serve their country, go off to war, and either come home again with broken bodies and minds, or don’t come home at all. Pat Tillman would be comfortable if he is seen just as one of many.

Life is a wonderful and cherished existence. Pat Tillman’s life is proof of that. Without many even knowing him, he has touched us. Let’s make sure that what he got us to think about, and how he touched us, is something we reflect on each day. While that won’t be as important to Pat Tillman, it will be important to each of us.

I feel better now.

I’m Ron Barr.

Ron Barr is an Emmy award winning writer and the host of the nationally and internationally syndicated sports talk show, Sports Byline USA

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