Four Pat Tillman Foundation scholars served as honorary coin toss captains ahead of the big game on Sunday. Tillman, who played safety for the Arizona Cardinals, left his NFL career behind to enlist in the military in 2002, just months after 9/11. 

The segment introduced Tillman as a man who died “in the line of duty,” portraying him as a hero for giving his life to serve his country.

It did not, however, mention that Tillman was killed by friendly fire shortly after telling a friend that the invasion of Iraq was “so fucking illegal.” Tillman had also planned to meet with anti-Vietnam war activist Noam Chomsky but died before he could.

Source: https://www.buzzfeed.com/kelseyweekman/super-bowl-pat-tillman-reactions