PLUMMER, NFL COMPROMISE ON BRONCO'S TRIBUTE TO TILLMAN

October 13, 2004

In the midst of a national firestorm, the NFL backed down Wednesday and compromised with Denver Broncos quarterback Jake Plummer in his emotional and controversial tribute to a fallen friend.

The NFL announced that it will not fine Plummer for defying league rules and wearing a No. 40 decal on the back of his helmet to honor former teammate Pat Tillman, killed in April while serving as an Army Ranger in Afghanistan. Plummer, who was told on Sept. 29 that he would be fined $30,000 if he wore the sticker again, went with his heart and against the league when he wore the decal Sunday in Denver's 20-17 victory over Carolina at Invesco Field at Mile High.

"I'm happy it's done," Plummer said Wednesday afternoon. "I'm glad they made their decision." Plummer said he will not wear the decal again.

After hashing out ideas since Monday, the Broncos have agreed to display a number 40, Tillman's jersey number when he played with the Arizona Cardinals, above the north end zone next to the play clock at Invesco Field at Mile High for the rest of the season.

It is the first time Denver has done a tribute of this sort. The Broncos will be the only team in the NFL to have such a display. The NFL has allowed the Cardinals to wear the decal on the back of helmets all season. The NFL asked every team to wear the decal during the second week of the season.

"What an incredible tribute from one friend to another," said Alex Garwood, the executive director of the Pat Tillman Foundation and Tillman's brother-in-law. "Now (nearly) 80,000 people at Invesco Field can look at the clock and hopefully they'll be inspired to do something the same way Jake was inspired by Pat."

A Statement from the NFL

We spoke to the Broncos and Jake's representatives and emphasized that we too want to continue to keep Pat Tillman's legacy alive, but that we have rules regarding personal messages on uniforms that we needed to apply consistently.

The idea of Jake doing a public service announcement relating to our service men and women arose during these discussions and we look forward to working with him on it and showing Jake's message in all our stadiums beginning on the weekend (Nov. 14-15) after Veterans Day.

We appreciate Senator McCain's interest as expressed in today's letter. We have worked with Senator McCain and his office on several tributes to Pat Tillman since his death. Senator McCain has most recently endorsed our $250,000 contribution to build the first USO facility in Afghanistan that will be named the Pat Tillman USO Center for the military men and women stationed there. The formal announcement of the Tillman USO Center will be made at the annual USO Gala tomorrow night in Washington.

For the record, Jake Plummer has not been fined for his actions on this issue and we have no intention of doing so. Rather, we look forward to working together with him.

In addition to the display next to the clock, the Broncos will run messages for the Pat Tillman Foundation each game and will run a public service announcement that Plummer will make with the NFL.

The announcement will run at Invesco Field as soon as it is prepared and will run in every NFL stadium Nov. 14 and 15 in remembrance of Veterans Day. The Broncos have a bye that week.

Plummer gained national attention because of the controversy. Wednesday, U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., wrote a letter to NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue, urging him to let Plummer continue wearing the decal. U.S. Sen. Wayne Allard, R-Colo., a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, wrote a similar letter to Tagliabue on Wednesday.

Plummer said he is saddened that he won't be able to wear the decal again but is happy with the compromise. "When it comes down to honoring Pat Tillman, he's bigger than a sticker on the back of my helmet," Plummer said. "I don't like the fact that I can't, but I understand what the league is accomplishing with their rules and regulations and trying to keep everything the same."

Tillman was a teammate and friend of Plummer's at Arizona State University and with the Cardinals. Tillman shunned the NFL in 2002 to join the Army.

Plummer forced the NFL into an uncomfortable position when he wore the decal against the Panthers. After the game, Plummer said he expected to be fined heavily.

The NFL reacted Monday by saying its previous stance would not change. The NFL doesn't allow players to put personal messages on their uniforms or helmets.

In 1999, when Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton died, some players wanted to make personal tributes by altering their uniforms. They were not allowed. When Johnny Unitas died, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning hoped to wear high-top shoes - a Unitas trademark - in a game, but the NFL warned that he would be fined. Manning didn't wear the shoes. Plummer's story quickly made national news. Fans pledged money to pay a potential fine. A local radio station started a campaign to support Plummer, and some fans started websites to take up Plummer's cause.

Before the compromise was announced Wednesday, the fervor hit a new level with McCain's letter to Tagliabue. In it, McCain wrote, "In making your decision, I fear you have sent a message that League policy is more important than memorials to those who have sacrificed their lives for us."

Plummer said he was not prepared for the attention his tribute would cause. "I was just doing this for Pat," Plummer said. "But to have someone like Sen. McCain get involved and all the fan reaction, it means people are caring about what Pat stood for."

The NFL said in a statement Wednesday, "We spoke to the Broncos and Jake's representatives and emphasized that we, too, want to continue to keep Pat Tillman's legacy alive, but that we have rules regarding personal messages on uniforms that we needed to apply consistently.

"The idea of Jake doing a public service announcement relating to our service men and women arose during these discussions and we look forward to working with him on it and showing Jake's message in all our stadiums beginning on the weekend after Veterans Day." Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said he was pleased Plummer worked out a compromise.

"I'm happy for him. He was going through an emotional time," Shanahan said. "(The Broncos) will give some recognition to Pat and his foundation, and Jake gets to do what he thinks is right. It's a win- win situation."