In the 11th grade, Tillman has a growth spurt and goes on to dominate on the football field for the rest of high school. A young man of above-average good looks, Tillman falls in love with Marie Ugenti, a girl he knew since childhood. Until he and Marie start dating, Tillman’s mother, Dannie, is the only strong woman and anchor in his life. Marie’s calm, intelligent persona ground him, and they remain committed to one another until his death, 11 years later.

On November 13, 1993, Tillman attends a party in San Jose with Marie, many of his classmates, and a fellow teammate named Jeff Hechtle. After the party, they drunkenly go to a pizza place called Round Table. Hechtle tries to pick a fight with Mike Bradford, a graduate of a rival school. Finally, he goads Bradford enough that they fight in the parking lot. Unaware that his best friend started the fight, Tillman rushes out to assist him. Hechtle has a rare condition that leaves his skin unusually vulnerable. Fed by football-fed aggression, testosterone, and alcohol, Tillman goes for Darin Rosas, an innocent bystander, beating him senselessly. When the police arrive, Tillman snaps out of his violent state and profusely apologizes, telling Rosas he made a grave error and will do anything he can to make it right.