It is not surprising that some of the following elite professional athletes made or were willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
As we continue the weekend celebration of the men and women in the U.S. military on Veterans Day 2013, take a look at the athletes who enlisted in the Armed Forces during war and peace time. Some of them will take you by surprise.
1. Pat Tillman, above — After four years and a Pro Bowl selection, Tillman quit the game of football and joined the military, eventually entering the Army Rangers elite battalion. He was killed by friendly fire in 2004.