Brother of late NFL player pleads guilty to crashing car into San Jose post office

Richard Tillman, 44, admitted to intentionally setting fire to the post office lobby to "make a point to the United States government".

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Richard Tillman, the youngest brother of late NFL star-turned-soldier Pat Tillman, pleaded guilty this week to setting fire to a San Jose, California, post office last summer. Tillman rammed a car into the post office building and then set the vehicle ablaze, causing the lobby to go up in flames. No one was injured in the incident.

Why it matters

The Tillman family is well-known in the San Jose area, as Pat Tillman left the Arizona Cardinals to join the military after 9/11 and was killed in Afghanistan in 2004 at the age of 27. This incident involving his younger brother has raised concerns about mental health issues and the challenges faced by military families.

The details

Tillman, 44, of San Jose, pleaded guilty in federal court to malicious destruction of government property. He admitted that he intentionally set the fire in order to "make a point to the United States government", though prosecutors did not specify what point he was trying to make. Tillman told officers at the scene that he had livestreamed the incident on YouTube.

  • On July 20, Tillman rammed a car into the San Jose post office and set it on fire.
  • On Monday, Tillman pleaded guilty in federal court.
  • Tillman is scheduled to be sentenced on April 27.

The players

Richard Tillman

The 44-year-old youngest brother of late NFL star-turned-soldier Pat Tillman, who pleaded guilty to intentionally setting fire to a San Jose post office.

Pat Tillman

The late NFL player who left the Arizona Cardinals to join the military after 9/11 and was killed in Afghanistan in 2004 at the age of 27.

Shannon Roark

A U.S. Postal Inspector who said Tillman told officers at the scene that he had livestreamed the incident on YouTube.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

Tillman faces a maximum of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine when he's sentenced on April 27.

The takeaway

This incident involving the brother of a well-known NFL player highlights the ongoing challenges faced by military families and the need for greater mental health support. The motivations behind Tillman's actions remain unclear, but the case underscores the importance of addressing underlying issues that can lead to such destructive behavior.