Kari Lake Pays Tribute to Pat Tillman Who ‘Stood Tall,’ Takes Shot at Those Who ‘Kneel’ Like Colin Kaepernick

Arizona GOP Gov candidate Kari Lake paid tribute to former NFL player and safety Pat Tillman, who was killed by friendly fire after giving up his career to enlist in the military after 9/11.

In the tweet, Lake also took a shot at those who “kneel,” like former NFL player and quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

Tillman died on April 22, 2004 and Lake made the tweet on the anniversary of his death, which was Friday.

“Today, we remember an Arizona hero. Where some would kneel, Pat Tillman stood tall,” Lake declared.

Today, we remember an Arizona hero.

Where some would kneel, Pat Tillman stood tall. pic.twitter.com/nHI7aqmABl

— Kari Lake for AZ Governor (@KariLake) April 23, 2022

Many on the left were triggered by the tweet, with some suggesting that Tillman would have kneeled with Kaepernick and those who kneeled.

Anti-Trump Twitter user Diane Thompson claimed, “That last statement referencing “standing tall and kneeling” is abusing/ misusing the memory of Pat Tillman and does him no honor.”

“It is an affront to those who need to kneel to be seen! TBT, the kneelers were the people Tillman was trying to help!” Thompson insisted.

That last statement referencing “standing tall and kneeling” is abusing/ misusing the memory of Pat Tillman and does him no honor. It is an affront to those who need to kneel to be seen! TBT, the kneelers were the people Tillman was trying to help!👎

— Diane Thompson (@13vixen) April 23, 2022

Others pointed to the fact that Tillman was killed by friendly fire and the subsequent military coverup that took place.

Twitter user Steve W. (he/him) lectured, “Don’t forget to mention he was killed by friendly fire which the army and government tried to cover up.”

Don’t forget to mention he was killed by friendly fire which the army and government tried to cover up.

— Steve W (he/him) (@SteveW_OH) April 23, 2022

Another left-wing Twitter user shared a quote from Tillman’s widow, Marie Tillman where she said, “The very action of self expression and the freedom to speak from one’s heart — no matter those views — is what Pat and so many other Americans have given their lives for.”

Marie Tillman on Colin Kaepernick:
“The very action of self expression and the freedom to speak from one’s heart — no matter those views — is what Pat and so many other Americans have given their lives for,” she said

— MelonCollieMollie Grand Duchess of Terror (@Re4mdRepublcan) April 23, 2022

In an interview on Sept. 12, 2001, however, Tillman said that he had a “great deal of respect” for what “the flag stands for.”

While there may be disagreement with what side Tillman would have been on in regards to kneeling for the flag, it cannot be denied that he was willing to give his life to protect our freedoms.