Tillman Parents No Fans of New Afghan General

Blame McChrystal for covering up NFL star's death; call for vetting

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted May 13, 2009 6:19 AM CDT

(Newser) – Pat Tillman's parents say Lt. Gen. Stanley McChrystal helped cover up the circumstances of their son's death and they want his record carefully considered before he takes charge of the Afghan war, the AP reports. McChrystal approved a citation for Tillman stating he was killed "in the line of devastating enemy fire," Pentagon records show, despite his suspicions that the NFL star had been killed by friendly fire, as proved to be the case.

"I do believe that guy participated in a falsified homicide investigation," Tillman's father told the AP. Tillman's mother called for McChrystal to be "scrutinized carefully" during Senate hearings. The Senate is expecting to approve McChrystal's Afghanistan appointment within weeks. A Pentagon spokesman said they "feel terrible for what the Tillman family went through," but that investigations had uncovered no wrongdoing on McChrystal's part.

Lt. Gen Stanley McChrystal, seen here in a 2003 file photo, has been named to replace Gen. David McKiernan as the top general in Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Dennis Cook, FILE)

Stanley McChrystal briefs reporters on progress in the war with Iraq during a news conference at the Pentagon in this April 14, 2003 file photo. (AP Photo/Dennis Cook, file)

This June 2003 file photo shows former Arizona Cardinals football player Pat Tillman. (AP Photo/Photography Plus via Williamson Stealth Media Solutions, FILE)

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Showing 2 of 2 comments

Mad

May 13, 2009 5:27 AM CDT

Damn, Fondue, go ahead and read before you respond. The Tilman's don't blame McChrystal for their son's death, fool, they hold him accountable in part of the bullshit, cover-up LIES spewed to them and the nation. He felt he knew the truth, yet participated anyway

Fondue

May 13, 2009 1:34 AM CDT

I feel bad for the Tillman's - I really do. But, the war in general has nothing to do with the death of their son.

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Tillman Parents No Fans of New Afghan General

Blame McChrystal for covering up NFL star's death; call for vetting

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