When watching our favorite television shows or movies, we can usually depict who the hero is. Although they can be easily distinguished from good and evil, the difficult aspect of a hero is to be understood. We never seem to understand the hero but just see what they can offer us. In the book, “Where Men Win Glory” portrays Pat Tillman as a heroic figure yet in his tragic story many never seem to understand Pat Tillman’s motivation. Pat Tillman left his successful life as a football player to enlist into the military, but why? What were his intentions? Pat Tillman was not the only one who had the motivation to leave everything behind, but so did Achilles. In the book, “The Iliad,” the Greek mortal Achilles wanted to join the war and leave his mother Thetis behind. Both characters acquire similar motivations but they find common ground through, vengeance, religion, and what they were willing to lose. For instance, It came to a surprise from many people when Pat Tillman announced he was leaving his successful career as a football player and resigned from his multi million contract with the NFL in order to enlist himself into the military. Pat Tillman’s initial motivation to join the military was because he wanted to challenge himself. In the book, “Where Men Win Glory” the author Jon Krakauer states, “Pat decided that going into the military was what he needed to do.” (Krakauer 2009 p.165) Pat has always had the interest to join the military, but never thought of enlisting himself because his football career has always been his priority. Although he knew his career was successful, he knew enlisting into the military was a once in a life time opportunity and made the decision to take this opportunity. Even though Pat Tillman had the option to join the military, Achilles did not exactly have the option, but was commanded. Thetis tells Achilles, “Son you are to die young and with great sorrow.” (Fagles pg.102) Thetis encouraged Achilles to become a strong, heroic, and well-known figure in his time. This type of pressure caused Achilles to gain glory and through his glory he wanted people to see how well trained and powerful he was. This is Achilles reason for initially joining the war. Despite their initial differences into joining the military, Pat Tillman and Achilles have similar characteristics and motivations; like the option of staying home and being offered materialistic items. When Pat Tillman enlisted into the military he was asked to come back in the NFL to play Football and this time h