Mike LaFleur Honors Pat Tillman in Tribute Shirt
The Cardinals coach wore a shirt bearing Tillman's image on what would have been the late player's 50th birthday.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Football
Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur wore a maroon shirt featuring Pat Tillman in his No. 40 Cardinals jersey to his media availability on Friday. The tribute marked what would have been Tillman's 50th birthday.
Why it matters
The tribute recognizes a former Cardinals player who left football after the September 11 attacks to enlist in the Army and was killed in Afghanistan. It keeps Tillman's legacy visible to fans in Glendale and across the Valley as the team marks his birthday.
Tillman, born November 6, 1976, spent four seasons with the Cardinals after joining in 1998 and died April 22, 2004, at age 27. His No. 40 jersey was retired by the team.
The players
Mike LaFleur
Mike LaFleur is the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals, who wore the tribute shirt to his media availability.
Pat Tillman
Pat Tillman was a safety who played for the Arizona Cardinals before enlisting in the U.S. Army and serving as an Army Ranger, and he was killed in Afghanistan in 2004.
The details
LaFleur arrived at his media availability wearing a maroon shirt with an image of Tillman in his Cardinals No. 40 jersey. Cardinals reporter Mark Dalton shared a photo of the tribute.
Timeline
November 6, 1976: Tillman is born.
1998: Tillman joins the Arizona Cardinals.
September 11, 2001: Tillman decides to leave football and enlist alongside his brother Kevin.
April 22, 2004: Tillman dies in Afghanistan.
November 6, 2026: The tribute honors what would have been his 50th birthday.
Legal Context
The Cardinals retired Tillman's No. 40 jersey and erected a statue outside State Farm Stadium, establishing a lasting institutional memorial. Friday's shirt continues that tradition of keeping his service and sacrifice in front of the franchise's fans.
The tribute highlights the Cardinals' ongoing tie to Tillman, whose No. 40 is retired and whose statue stands outside State Farm Stadium. Fans attending games at the stadium can see that memorial in person.
The takeaway
Honoring Tillman on his birthday reflects how the Cardinals have kept his story central to the franchise. The retired jersey and statue give fans a lasting way to remember his service and sacrifice.
Further reading
For more on the team's recent games and roster news, see Football coverage in Glendale.
Source note: This article includes information reported by ClutchPoints.
