Martina Navratilova speculates possible cover-up angle in ex-NFL star & US army soldier's death in Afghanistan

Martina Navratilova retired from the sport nearly two decades ago but has continued to stay in the spotlight. Recently, Navratilova shared her speculations regarding the possible coverup of NFL star and US Army soldier Pat Tillman’s death in 2004.

Tillman was a safety for the Arizona Cardinals between 1998 and 2001, who left the NFL to join the army in 2002. He was killed in Afghanistan in 2004, and his death received widespread media coverage after it was revealed that he was killed by friendly fire, despite initial reports stating otherwise.

Recently, an X account shared the story of Tillman on the platform, writing:

“After 9/11, Pat Tillman left behind a successful football career to join the U.S. Army. In 2004, it was initially reported that he was killed by the Taliban, a story shared with his family and the public. However, about a month after his death, the Army revealed that Tillman had actually been killed by friendly fire. His last words, attempting to identify himself to his comrades, were in vain.

“Despite being described as an accident, doubts arose due to the circumstances of his death: Tillman was shot three times in the head from close range without any evidence of enemy combatants nearby, contradicting initial accounts of the incident. This raised questions about what exactly happened and why American soldiers were firing in the first place.”

Reacting to this Martina Navratilova wrote:

“Wow…another coverup and why?”

Martina Navratilova calls Pat Tillman an ‘American hero'

Martina Navratilova on Pat Tillman (Image Source: Getty)

In 2017, Martina Navratilova showed her support for Pat Tillman's wife Marie, as she spoke out against then-president Donald Trump’s immigration ban. In January of that year, Trump signed an executive order that barred citizens from seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States.

Marie Tillman showed her disapproval of this ban, stating that it wasn't the America her husband fought for. An X account shared Tillman's thoughts on the matter, writing:

“Pat Tillman's widow on immigration ban: 'Not what he died for' as unrest and division over President Donald Trump.”

Reacting to this, Navratilova called the NFL star an ‘American hero’, writing,

“Pat Tillman was an American hero indeed, RIP.”

Martina Navratilova is widely considered to be one of the greatest women's singles tennis players to have graced the sport. She dominated a majority of the game in 1980, winning a total of 59 Grand Slam titles over the course of her career, a record in the Open Era.

The American retired in 2006 and has continued to use her platform to advocate for issues she cares about.