Arizona Wildcats pay tribute to Senator John McCain after his passing

Arizona Republican Senator John McCain died on August 25th, 2018 from brain cancer leaving behind a grieving state, nation, and family including Arizona Wildcats.

Whether you agreed or disagreed with any or all of what Arizona Republican Senator John McCain fought and stood for, he always had the right intent and he was a man of character. He referred to himself as a “maverick” because if he didn’t agree with politicians of his own party, he would still speak his mind.

McCain, who ran as a presidential candidate twice, was a man who did not judge you based on your race, religion or identification. He was as a true patriot and fought for human rights. As a naval aviator, he was captured by the Vietnamese and became a prisoner of war in Vietnam for over five years after he ejected from his plane as it was about to crash.

McCain was offered an early release but refused it because he didn’t want special privilege just because his father and grandfather were Admirals in the Navy. The Vietnamese could have used the publicity. He wouldn’t leave without the Vietnamese releasing his fellow POW’s as well.

But McCain was not only known for his heroism, but he was also known to see his enemies and his “across the aisle” Democratic Senators and politicians as Americans. Although his captors pulled him out of the water after the crash already with many broken bones, and then beat him, he never held a grudge and didn’t blame them because “We’re in a war.”

Arizona Wildcats

NPR published a poignant part of McCain’s memoir ”The Restless Wave” today, and it spoke to me personally. I think we all can benefit from reading this excerpt to hopefully take away some good from McCain’s overall message of equality, liberty, and love of country.

"“I’d like to see us recover our sense that we are more alike than different. We’re citizens of a republic made of shared ideals, forged in a new world to replace the tribal enmities that tormented the old one. Even in times of political turmoil such as these, we share that awesome heritage and the responsibility to embrace it. Whether we think each other right or wrong in our views on the issues of the day, we owe each other our respect as so long as our character merits respect and as long as we share for all our differences, for all the rancorous debates that enliven and sometimes demean our politics, a mutual devotion to the ideals our nation was conceived to uphold – that all are created equal, and liberty and equal justice are the natural rights of all. Those rights inhabit the human heart. And from there, though they may be assailed, they can never be wrenched. I want to urge Americans for as long as I can to remember that this shared devotion to human rights is our truest heritage and our most important loyalty."

McCain supported Arizona Athletics. Here are some Tweets from the man himself.

Arizona Football red-shirt freshman defensive end My-King Johnson Tweeted his statement:

Without John McCain’s efforts, Arizona Basketball fans would not have been able to enjoy watching and cheering on the Finnisher, Lauri Markkanen. McCain took the credit tongue and cheek (from Chicago Tribune):

"“We’ve got a young guy from Finland named Markkanen, as you know, Lauri Markkanen. He is fantastic,” McCain said in the interview. “You know how politicians are, they like all credit, you know? He was having trouble with his visa. And they went to our office and we helped out with the visa. So therefore, any success, I will take full credit for. That’s classic, huh?”"

The now Chicago Bull made a statement yesterday on Twitter:

John McCain made a memorable appearance at the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor tribute football game two years ago where the Wildcats wore special uniforms. The battleship grey uniforms included the name of the Navy ship named The U.S.S. Arizona, the American flag and the motto of the ship “At ‘Em Arizona” as well as other patches. The ship included 1,177 officers and crewmen who lost their lives as it sunk after Japanese bombs hit it on Dec. 7, 1941.

The school and the Navy ship will always be connected as a special memorial displayed from this game at the site of the ship as it rests beneath the beautiful Hawaiian waters in Oahu.

If you weren’t aware, the Student Union on Arizona’s campus was built to mirror the ship, with the ship’s bell in the tower, and a fountain looking like waves near the mall along with a newly erected memorial built on the mall.

McCain officially flipped the coin to start the game to decide who would kick off first. The coin was from the 47th Fighter Squadron of the Davis- Monthan Air Force Base. Former safety Paul Magloire Jr. was front, and center for the coin toss posted this picture in a separate post on Instagram with the words: RIP @senjohnmccain [prayer hands emoji] True American Hero.

The Arizona Wildcats hockey team skated to bring awareness to the fight against cancer. One of the athletes wore McCain on the back of his jersey and posted this Tweet reminding us all to “Do the right thing.”

Shane Dale, ABC15, mentioned that one of John McCain’s favorite Arizona sports moments was an Arizona Wildcats victory:

Former Arizona President Robert C. Robbins made the following statement:

"I was saddened to learn today about Senator John McCain’s brain tumor diagnosis. Arizona’s senior senator plays a pivotal role in the governance of our country and I am honored that I have had the privilege to discuss some of its most pressing matters with him and what the University of Arizona can do to help move us all forward.Arizona and the entire country have long been accustomed to seeing our senator stand resolute throughout the years in the forefront of our national dialogue. Through his meritorious service in the US Navy, representing Arizona in Congress, and his influential role in global affairs, Senator McCain has long been an example of selfless leadership.My thoughts and prayers, and those of the University of Arizona are with Senator McCain and his family through this difficult period. We know Senator McCain has long been a fighter and will face this new challenge with fierce determination. John McCain is a great leader and I know I am not alone in hoping to see him back on the floor of the Senate very soon."

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald posted as well.

We couldn’t let this day pass without commemorating the life of Senator John McCain who always supported Arizona Athletics. Bless his soul may he rest in peace. Bear Down Senator!