AMHERST, Mass. -- Controversial comments published in the University of Massachusetts at Amherst newspaper are getting an overwhelmingly negative response.

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NewsCenter 5's Anthony Everett reported that the Daily Collegian opinion-editorial piece written by a senior heavily criticized former NFL star Pat Tillman who recently died fighting in Afghanistan.

The paper ran two columns about Tillman, the Arizona Cardinal football player who turned down a lucrative contract in the NFL to serve in Afghanistan.

One column praised him, while the other, written by Rene Gonzalez read, "This was a 'G.I. Joe' guy who got what was coming to him. That was not heroism, it was prophetic idiocy."

"By and large the response to the column has been nearly completely negative," said the paper's managing editor, Daniel Lamothe.

The Gonzalez column continued, "It's hard to say I have any sympathy for his death because I don't feel like his 'service' was necessary ... He was acting out his macho patriotic crap and I guess someone with a bigger gun did him in."

The column has generated multiple reactions including, "crazy," "disgusting," "disgrace" and "horrendous."

The other piece highlighted Tillman's heroic service to his country, in direct contrast to the Gonzalez piece, which editors chose to print.

"The decision, it has its backbone in the First Amendment principles, that, as journalism students, we are being taught and trying to live with every day," said Lamothe.

UMass President Jack Wilson released a statement that read, in part, "The comments of Rene Gonzalez ... are a disgusting, arrogant and intellectually immature attack on a human being who died in service to his country."

Wilson continued, "Thanks to Pat Tillman and the other men and women who have fought and died for our freedom, Americans enjoy the rights, including the right to speak and write as they see fit."

In Thursday's edition of the Daily Collegian, the editorial board printed a letter saying Gonzalez's opinion in no way reflects that of the newspaper.

Gonzalez declined to be interviewed by NewsCenter 5 saying he was overwhelmed by the reaction and death threats he has received.

He did, however, issue a statement that read, in part, "I mean no disrespect to the family of Patrick Tillman, and I would be very hurt to learn they were hurt by my comments. My intent was to open a debate on whether or not serving the in U.S. military is a de facto reason for considering someone a hero."