Jason LaBarbera ~ Phoenix Coyotes
The name Pat Tillman is instantly recognizable, a professional athlete that proudly stepped away from his career to serve his country.
As per Wikipedia’s Pat Tillman page:
Corporal Patrick Daniel “Pat” Tillman Jr. (November 6, 1976 – April 22, 2004) was an American football player who left his professional career and enlisted in the United States Army in June 2002 in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, attacks. He joined the Army Rangers and served several tours in combat before he died in the mountains of Afghanistan.
Phoenix Coyotes’ goaltender Jason LaBarbera chose to pay homage to stalwart Pat Tillman with his 2011-2012 goalie mask. The artwork and design was something that I pieced together over several days after some discussions with Labs.
Pat Tillman will live in on in our memories, I hope that this helmet assists with that in whatever facet possible.
Following Pat’s death in 2004, while serving with the U.S. Army’s 75th Ranger Regiment in Afghanistan, his family and friends established the Pat Tillman Foundation
The mission of the Pat Tillman Foundation is to invest in veterans and their families through education and community, I encourage you to visit their website and support their cause.
This mask has been getting some excellent coverage by the mainstream media:
[...] the artist David Arrigo’s [...]
Absolutley the very best mask, I’ve ever seen. great job!
Having seen that story and being in the military now have to say that is inspireing not only to look at it but that outstanding work and very patrotic. thank you and God Bless.
very well done. a fine tribute. a bruins fan, but now a Labs fan also. thank you to all our troops who provide us our freedoms. come home safely and God bless.
Awesome! Thank you
As a Veteran I feel that it is an awsome tribute to pay to the military and Pat Tillman who paid the price for our freedom. Thank you.
A great tribute to a great man..To all our armed forces who protect us..Come home soon and come home safe..God bless them all, especially our Rangers..
Fantastic tribute helmet! Thanks for helping LaBarbera honor Tillman and all of the soldiers who have and continue to serve our country.
[...] tribute from Phoenix Coyotes goalie Jason LaBarbera who plans on honoring former Arizona St Sun Devil and Arizona Cardinals Pat [...]