ASU football and Arizona Cardinals icon Pat Tillman is the subject of a new ESPN documentary

With Veterans Day approaching on Monday, a new episode of ESPN’s “E60” remembers the fascinating life and tragic death of Ex. Arizona Cardinals defensive back turned Army ranger Pat Tillman, who died 20 years ago from friendly fire in Afghanistan.

“Pat Tillman: Life. Death. Legacy” is a one-hour program featuring new reporting and interviews detailing the story of one of the most famous soldiers in United States history. Tillman turned down a multi-million dollar NFL contract to enlist in the military after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

The episode airs Thursday evening at 5 p.m. MST on ESPN and is available via streaming afterward on ESPN+.

Directed by Frank Saraceno and William Weinbaum and produced by David Seronick, “Pat Tillman: Life. Death. Legacy” profiles Tillman’s online rise at Arizona State and the NFL and explains the role military leadership played in his death — and in keeping the truth from Tillman’s family and the rest of the world for weeks.

ESPN posted a story on the subject Thursday morning.

It also includes interviews with some of Tillman’s platoon mates who were there when he was killed on April 22, 2004, at the age of 27. It happened two years after he walked away from his football career to help fight the war against terrorism.

According to the episode, many of those who were with Tillman when he died have struggled with addiction, depression and suicidal thoughts for years, including Bryan O’Neal, who crossed the ridge behind Tillman on that fateful day.

“I probably thought a million times that this world would be a lot better if Pat had made it and I was dead,” O’Neal said. “It was always my best survivor’s fault.”

Tillman would have turned 48 on Wednesday.

This article originally appeared on the Arizona Republic: ESPN airs new documentary about Arizona Cardinals, ASU icon Pat Tillman