Mankato, Minn. – Former Army paratrooper and current student at Minnesota State University, Mankato, Patrick Nelson, has been awarded the NFL-Tillman Scholarship.  The scholarship is granted to those who have served our country while continuing their efforts to further their education.

The scholarship was created in memory of former Arizona Cardinal Pat Tillman who lost his life while serving our country in 2004.  The award is meant to help give service members and their dependents access to educational opportunities and encourage their life long commitment to the service.  

Nelson served for 39 months between Iraq and Afghanistan before exiting the military due to his interest in furthering his education and the complications from injuries he suffered while in combat.  

Nelson, a Dawson, Minn., native, is a senior at MSU where he is double-majoring in history and sport management.  Nelson also intends on pursuing a master’s degree in sport management upon graduation.  Along with being a full-time student, Nelson currently serves as an intern within the University’s athletic department as the athletic ticket manager.

“It is an honor to be named a Pat Tillman NFL Scholar,” said Nelson.  “Pat Tillman is an American hero and led a life of service and put others before himself.  I am thankful for the opportunities provided to me by the Pat Tillman Foundation and the NFL and hope to continue that legacy of service throughout my academic and professional career.”

The honor just adds to the growing list of accomplishments on Nelson’s resume.  In 2008, Nelson was awarded the Horatio Alger Military Scholarship and was recently presented with a $25,000 grant from the Pepsi Refresh Project.  With the awarded grant money, Nelson partnered up with a non-profit development organization to create a website where veterans can share their experiences and educate the public on what life is like in combat from a first hand perspective.

Nelson will be honored at this Sunday’s game in Minneapolis as he will be the Honorary Captain for the game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Minnesota Vikings and will go out with the team captains and a member of each branch of service for the coin toss.

Additional stories regarding Patrick Nelson and the NFL-Tillman award are located here, here and here.



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