NFL Legend’s Brother Arrested After Wild Car Crash
The brother of a late NFL star has been arrested after a car crashed into a California post office this weekend.
The San Jose Fire Department responded to a fire at the Almaden Valley Post Office. The fire was substantial, requiring a "second alarm response" with approximately 50 personnel on site, according to the fire department's statement.
"Defensive operations" were performed in an effort to contain the fire and keep it from spreading, and the department reported that no injuries were identified.
Police arrested 44-year-old Richard Tillman on suspicion of arson in connection with the fire, booking him into the Santa Clara County Jail on Sunday.
Tillman is the brother of former Arizona Cardinals defensive back and United States Army soldier Pat Tillman.
Pat Tillman famously put his NFL career on hold after the September 11 attacks to join the military, but died in Afghanistan during deployment. Posthumously, he received both the Silver Star and Purple Heart medals.
Records from the the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office show that Richard Tillman was arrested on Sunday. NBC News reports that he explained to officers that he was Pat Tillman's brother at the scene, and that he had live-streamed the incident on social media.
The police and fire department described the situation as a vehicle being driven in to the post office's building and catching fire, which in turn caused the entire building to catch on fire.
Following Pat Tillman's death at the age of 27, his family established a foundation in his honor.
The foundation aims to provide "academic scholarships, lifelong leadership development opportunities and a diverse, global community of high-performing mentors and peers" to military members, veterans and their family members.
Both the Arizona Cardinals and Arizona State Sun Devils retired Tillman's jersey numbers after his death. The Sun Devils have incorporated Tillman as a permanent fixture of their uniforms with a "PT42" patch, and the Cardinals' stadium features a bronze statue in his honor.
The NFL honored Tillman at the Super Bowl in that stadium two years ago, and four scholars from his foundation performed the ceremonial coin toss.