Pints for Pat: Celebrating the Legacy of Pat Tillman

Blog | 11/06/2020

Before enlisting in the Army, Pat would often ride his bike to the Rula Bula Irish Pub in Tempe, sit in the dining area and study his Cardinals playbook over a pint of Guinness. On a particular visit, Pat brought his drinking glass an Imperial 20-oz Guinness glass with his ASU #42 engraved on it. He asked the bartender to keep his glass on the top shelf behind the bar to use on his next visit to the pub.

During his last visit to Rula Bula, Pat left his glass in its rightful place behind the bar with a promise to return. Even after Pat’s death, his pint glass remains on the shelf of Rula Bula’s back bar and a tradition was born.

Pat’s story brings together communities from across the country to toast his legacy in our annual Pints for Pat event. As COVID struck, however, it became clear that 2020 would not be a year that we could gather physically.

But the tradition continues online. Through next Friday, Pat Tillman Foundation supporters will come together online to toast Pat, the nearly 700 scholars who carry on his legacy and values, or remarkable veterans and military spouses in their lives. You can join too—pre-order a pair of the official pint glasses in our store or share your toast on social media with the hashtag #Pints4Pat.

Today would have been Pat’s 44th birthday. We can’t think of a better way to honor him than hoisting a favorite beverage—whether Pat’s beloved Guinness or a coffee—and honoring him and others who live with passion, engage in service beyond self and lead through action in their communities. We’ll be sharing our favorites on our social channels through Nov. 13. Take a look at some highlights below.

 

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#Pints4Pat @pattillmanfnd

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